T'way Air Boeing 737-800 Loses Wheel at Taoyuan: What Caused the Tire Failure?

A T'way Air Boeing 737-800 experienced a serious incident. The aircraft lost a right main landing gear tire upon landing. This occurred at Taiwan Taoyuan Airport (TPE) on February 8, 2026. The flight, designated Flight TW687 emergency response, arrived from Jeju, South Korea. All 150 passengers and crew were reported safe. The crew maintained control and safely taxied to the gate.

Operational Impact and Response

Taoyuan International Airport Corporation acted quickly. They immediately suspended operations on the North Runway. This action was necessary due to debris scattered across the tarmac. The airport switched to single-runway operations. This created a bottleneck during a peak arrival period.

• The North Runway remained closed for nearly two hours.
• Ground crews performed a Foreign Object Debris (FOD) sweep.
• Approximately 14 flights were affected by the disruption.
• The runway reopened at 5:35 P.M. local time.

Single-runway operations reduce flexibility at busy hubs. This can cause significant knock-on delays for hours. The incident highlights the vulnerability of airport operations.

Investigation into Tire Detachment

Taiwanese authorities immediately launched a runway closure investigation. The Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) and the Taiwan Transportation Safety Board (TTSB) are leading the inquiry. The primary focus is determining the cause of the mechanical failure.

Potential factors in Boeing 737 tire failure include:

• Underinflation or overheating of the tire.
• Issues with the brake system.
• Damage from foreign objects (FOD).
• Problems with the wheel or axle assembly.

Investigators will closely examine aircraft maintenance procedures. They will scrutinize maintenance logs and recent wheel change records. Proper torque procedures on the axle nut are critical. The incident places a spotlight on commercial aviation safety standards. T'way Air, a South Korean low-cost carrier, is cooperating fully. The airline operates a standardized fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The outcome of the official inquiry is highly anticipated. It will likely lead to safety recommendations for maintenance protocols.

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