When is aircraft landing gear tyre replacement considered essential?

• A. A bulge in the tyre sidewall
• B. A slow leak developing in the tyre
• C. Excessive tread wear
• D. Cracks in the bead area

Answer: (A)

A bulge in the tire sidewall signals internal damage to the tire’s structure, such as ply separation or heat damage. That kind of internal compromise means the tire can fail suddenly under load during takeoff, landing, or braking, posing a serious safety risk. Because of this, replacement is essential.

Other issues can be serious too, but they don’t imply the same immediate, catastrophic failure risk. A slow leak might be repairable or could require resealing or retreading depending on the cause and maintenance guidelines. Cracks in the bead area are concerning, but the visible sidewall bulge is the clearest, most urgent indicator that the tire can no longer be trusted to handle aeronautical loads. Excessive tread wear is managed by wear limits and may not always require immediate replacement in the same definitive way as a bulge.