Mystery as British Airways A380 plane lands in London with square tire

Maureen O'Hare
By Maureen O'Hare, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 11:56 AM EDT, Tue May 10, 2016
Out of shape: Experts said there was no danger to passengers.
Out of shape: Experts said there was no danger to passengers.
Courtesy Aviation Herald

Story highlights

Incredible photo emerges of an Airbus A380 with a square tire

The British Airways plane landed in London from Hong Kong

Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson 'not seen anything like it before'

CNN  — 

Square eggs, square watermelons and now… square tires?

Here’s an aviation mystery to sit alongside the Bermuda Triangle and the disappearance of Amelia Earhart.

A British Airways Airbus A380 set off from Hong Kong on May 5 with 22 round wheels – but apparently touched down at London Heathrow with a bizarre square-shaped tire.

This extraordinary photo was uncovered by aviation news site The Aviation Herald, which reported that the British Airways crew received a tire pressure warning shortly after takeoff.

The crew continued with the flight but requested that a tow tug be available at the London airport in case the aircraft was unable to taxi to the gate by itself.

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‘Not seen anything like it before’

In 2015, the A380 superjumbo celebrated 10 years since its launch. But has it lived up to expectations? Click on for a gallery of the A380 through the years.
Emirates A380s —
In 2015, the A380 superjumbo celebrated 10 years since its launch. But has it lived up to expectations? Click on for a gallery of the A380 through the years.
Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images
The A380 took its maiden flight on April 27, 2005. At 79.8 meters wide, the aircraft is the largest commercial passenger plane in operation.
Largest commercial airliner —
The A380 took its maiden flight on April 27, 2005. At 79.8 meters wide, the aircraft is the largest commercial passenger plane in operation.
Getty Images
Different sections of the A380 are built in different locations across Europe then brought for assembly in Toulouse, France. Here the rear section of the fuselage of the first A380 makes its way by barge through the French city of Bordeaux.
A plane of many parts —
Different sections of the A380 are built in different locations across Europe then brought for assembly in Toulouse, France. Here the rear section of the fuselage of the first A380 makes its way by barge through the French city of Bordeaux.
MICHEL GANGNE/AFP/Getty Images
The Toulouse production line is currently working through an order list of more than 160 aircraft.
On down the line —
The Toulouse production line is currently working through an order list of more than 160 aircraft.
LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images
More than 50,000 people gathered to watch the A380's maiden flight at France's Toulouse-Blagnac Airport.
Maiden flight —
More than 50,000 people gathered to watch the A380's maiden flight at France's Toulouse-Blagnac Airport.
Pascal Parrot/Getty Images
That maiden test flight was a success, much to the relief of Airbus, which had sunk $13 billion and 11 years of work into developing the aircraft.
Successful test —
That maiden test flight was a success, much to the relief of Airbus, which had sunk $13 billion and 11 years of work into developing the aircraft.
ERIC CABANIS/AFP/Getty Images
Singapore Airlines was the first to take delivery of an A380. The first commercial A380 flight ran from Singapore to Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport on October 25, 2007.
Singapore Airlines A380 —
Singapore Airlines was the first to take delivery of an A380. The first commercial A380 flight ran from Singapore to Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport on October 25, 2007.
Getty Images
Malaysia Airlines acquired its first A380 in 2012.
Malaysia Airlines A380 —
Malaysia Airlines acquired its first A380 in 2012.
Malaysia Airways
The A380's size means it can easily accommodate a lounge bar, such as this one offered by Emirates. Other airlines have promised gyms or casinos, but haven't delivered.
A380 lounge —
The A380's size means it can easily accommodate a lounge bar, such as this one offered by Emirates. Other airlines have promised gyms or casinos, but haven't delivered.
AFP/Getty Images
The A380 has proved a hit with passengers, particularly premium ticket-holders wowed by the comfort levels available. Ethiad was the first airline to offer fully private suites with a separate reclining lounge seat and full-length bed.
Passenger popularity —
The A380 has proved a hit with passengers, particularly premium ticket-holders wowed by the comfort levels available. Ethiad was the first airline to offer fully private suites with a separate reclining lounge seat and full-length bed.
Courtesy Ethiad
Beyond Emirates, sales of the A380 have been sluggish. Just 317 A380s had been ordered as of summer 2015. Airbus has said it believes the aircraft still has a bright future.
Sluggish sales —
Beyond Emirates, sales of the A380 have been sluggish. Just 317 A380s had been ordered as of summer 2015. Airbus has said it believes the aircraft still has a bright future.
MN Chan/Getty Images
Airbus A380 through the years

Thirteen hours later, the plane landed safely on runway 09L and was able to taxi to the gate without assistance.

But then, reports The Aviation Herald, it was discovered that the right outboard tire had deflated both top and bottom, creating a curious four-cornered shape.

It’s been puzzling aviation experts.

A Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson told the Daily Mail: “It’s a curious one. Not seen anything like it before.”

Patrick Smith, author of Cockpit Confidential, confessed: “The photo appears genuine, but I’m unsure how such a thing would happen, exactly.”

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How did it happen?

Kumar Mysore, from the Royal Aeronautical Society, told the Mail that the square shape might be due to how the weight of the Airbus A380 distributes itself on a deflated tire.

“You can see that the wheel is not damaged at all, as it is designed to take this weight.

“The effect is the same as when you squeeze a rubber ring toy with different intensity, it can turn into a different shape.

“In an A380, for this particular situation, it happens to be squarish.”

Mysore assured the Daily Mail that while there were a number of possible reasons for the deflation, “pilots are well trained to handle the situation safely.”

A spokesperson for British Airways also confirmed that the flight was not in danger.

“Our flight landed normally last Friday with one of its 22 tires deflated.

“The A380, in common with other large commercial aircraft, is designed to be perfectly safe when landing with a deflated tire.

“Our engineers quickly changed the tire and the aircraft went back into service.”

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