Premature braking and landing in Bergamo: what happened
On July 28, 2026, a Ryanair Boeing 737 Max 8-200 landed at Bergamo Airport (BGY) with the brake anti-skid system not functioning. Due to a manual braking action that was too early, the main wheels locked immediately upon contact with the runway, causing four tires to burst. The incident caused damage to both the aircraft and the runway, forcing a temporary closure of the airport for necessary repairs.
The Italian investigation highlighted that the issue arose from a delay in the manual activation of the speedbrakes, the aerodynamic brakes that normally help slow the aircraft without overloading the tires. The combination of the lack of the anti-skid system and premature braking led to the wheel lock-up.
What the anti-skid system malfunction means
The anti-skid system is designed to prevent the wheels from locking during braking, maintaining the maximum possible grip between the tires and the runway surface. It is similar to car ABS, and its absence can easily lead to tire damage in case of heavy braking.
When the anti-skid system is inactive, pilots must adapt the landing and braking procedure with special attention to avoid wheel lock-up. In this specific case, the lack of timely activation of other systems such as the speedbrakes increased the load on the tires.
Impact on flights and consequences for travelers
The incident caused a temporary closure of the Bergamo runway to allow debris removal and replacement of the damaged tires, along with safety checks on the aircraft. This resulted in delays and cancellations of flights especially in the hours following the event.
Ryanair has reaffirmed that passenger safety is the top priority and that all affected flights were reprotected or canceled with passenger assistance provided. However, travelers transiting through or departing from Bergamo may have experienced disruptions, with possible ripple effects on flights connecting Bergamo to major airports such as Rome (FCO) or London (LHR).
Practical advice for passengers
If you have booked a Ryanair flight departing from or arriving at Bergamo in the days following the incident, here are some helpful tips:
- Check your flight status: Use our tool to check flight risk for real-time updates.
- Arrive at the airport well in advance: In case of delays or slowdowns during security checks.
- Check official Ryanair communications: For information on rebookings and support.
- Prepare for possible changes: In case of cancellations, consider alternative solutions including nearby airports or other airlines.
The broader context of Boeing 737 Max safety
The Boeing 737 Max, a model chosen by Ryanair for its efficiency, has had a complex history after two fatal accidents in 2018 and 2019 that led to a global grounding. Since then, many safety measures and software updates have been introduced.
The anti-skid system malfunction reported in Bergamo is not related to structural defects but to a specific operational condition and human procedures, highlighting the importance of pilot-system coordination in non-standard situations.
Additional resources on FlightGuard
- Learn how the anti-skid system works and why it’s essential
- Detailed information about Ryanair and its Boeing 737 Max fleet
- Insights about Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport
Conclusion
This episode shows how even small delays or errors in managing braking systems can have significant consequences during landing. For passengers, staying alert to official communications and preparing for possible disruptions remains essential for traveling calmly.
Want to know if your next flight is at risk? Check your flight risk on FlightGuard.
