What is the most significant consequence that can result from tyre creep on an aircraft wheel?
Refer to figure.
Tyre creep is the circumferential slippage of the tyre carcass relative to the wheel rim, most commonly triggered during the high spin-up forces at touchdown, particularly with under-inflated tyres.
In a tube-type tyre, the inflation valve is attached to the inner tube and passes through a hole in the wheel rim. As the tyre creeps around the rim, the inner tube is dragged with it, pulling the valve stem against the edge of the valve hole in the rim. This shear force can tear the valve away from the inner tube, creating a sudden and large leak path that causes rapid tyre deflation. Rapid deflation during or after landing is an extremely serious safety hazard that can cause loss of directional control, tyre destruction, and potential structural damage to the undercarriage.
Tyre creep indicators (painted marks across the tyre-rim interface) are checked during pre-flight and post-flight inspections specifically to detect creep before it reaches a severity that endangers the valve stem.
Wheel lock on landing → INCORRECT. Wheel lock during landing is caused by excessive brake application without anti-skid protection, causing the wheel to stop rotating while the aircraft is still moving. It is not a consequence of tyre creep.
The wheel to become unbalanced → INCORRECT. Tyre creep does cause the tyre to shift its mass distribution around the rim, which can produce a minor imbalance. However, this is not the most significant or safety-critical consequence of tyre creep. The primary danger of tyre creep is the risk of valve stem damage and sudden tyre deflation, which is a direct safety hazard to the aircraft.
The inflation valve to break away from the inner tube causing rapid tyre deflation → CORRECT. This is the primary and most serious safety consequence of tyre creep. As the tyre carcass rotates relative to the rim, it drags the inner tube with it, pulling the valve stem against the rim valve hole until the valve tears away from the tube. This creates an immediate large tyre deflation, which is a serious safety emergency during or after landing. This is precisely why creep marks are monitored and why tyre inflation pressure is critical to maintaining adequate bead grip.
Flat spots and excessive tyre wear → INCORRECT. Flat spots are caused by wheel lockup during braking, not by tyre creep. Excessive tyre wear is caused by incorrect inflation pressure, misalignment, or improper braking technique. While tyre creep is associated with under-inflation, which itself causes outer edge wear, the creep itself does not directly produce flat spots.
Your Notes (not visible to others)
This question has appeared on the real examination, you can find the related countries below.