BREAKING UPDATE: T’way Air Boeing 737-800 Loses Tire on Landing at Taiwan Taoyuan Airport: What Happened to Flight TW687?

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On Sunday, February 8, 2026, a T’way Air Boeing 737-800, Flight TW687, traveling from Jeju, South Korea to Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport, experienced a mechanical failure during its landing. As the aircraft touched down on the North Runway at 3:52 PM local time, one of its right main landing gear tires detached, prompting a swift emergency response and a temporary closure of the runway. Despite the loss of the tire, the aircraft managed to taxi safely to its designated gate by 3:54 PM, ensuring that no injuries occurred to the 150 passengers and crew members aboard.

What Happened During the Landing?

T’way Air Flight TW687 had just completed its flight from Jeju, South Korea, to Taoyuan, Taiwan, when the incident occurred. As the aircraft touched down on the North Runway (05L/23R), one of the tires on the right main landing gear detached. The cause of the tire detachment is currently under investigation, but despite the failure, the pilots maintained control of the aircraft and were able to safely taxi to parking stand A2 within just two minutes of landing.

The incident raised immediate concerns for safety, prompting airport authorities to shut down the North Runway for an inspection and to clear any Foreign Object Debris (FOD), including the detached tire. This led to a brief disruption in normal airport operations.

What Impact Did the Incident Have on Airport Operations?

Following the tire detachment, Taoyuan International Airport took swift action to ensure the safety of all flights. The airport operator immediately suspended all takeoffs and landings on the North Runway. This closure, lasting 1 hour and 43 minutes, resulted in air traffic being diverted to the South Runway. As a result, a total of 14 flights were affected, including eight arrivals and six departures. While most delays were minimal (under 20 minutes), Japan Airlines Flight JL8671 faced a more significant delay of approximately one hour due to the closure.

The North Runway was reopened at 5:35 PM local time after a thorough safety inspection and the removal of the detached tire and other debris. The airport returned to normal operations soon after, though the temporary reduction in capacity did lead to some disruptions.

How Did the Investigation Unfold?

Upon landing, T’way Air Flight TW687 was met by security and emergency teams. All passengers disembarked safely, with no injuries reported. The aircraft was immediately grounded at Taoyuan International Airport for a more in-depth inspection.

The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) of Taiwan, alongside the Taiwan Transportation Safety Board (TTSB), launched an investigation into the cause of the tire detachment. The investigation is focusing on two primary areas:

1. Maintenance Records: The recent service history of the aircraft’s landing gear assembly and the torque specifications of the wheel bolts are being reviewed.
2. Material Fatigue: Authorities are also examining the axle and locking mechanisms to determine whether the detachment was due to mechanical failure or a procedural error during recent maintenance.

At the time of reporting, no immediate conclusions have been reached, though a preliminary investigation has confirmed that the tire was successfully recovered from the runway. Ground crews conducted an emergency sweep to ensure that no additional debris remained on the active runway.

Was There Any Secondary Impact on Other Flights?

The runway closure and safety inspection caused a temporary disruption in flight schedules. One particular flight, Japan Airlines Flight JL8671, which landed shortly after TW687, reported potentially striking debris on the runway. This led to a secondary delay and the extended runway closure for a more thorough sweep of the area. Despite these disruptions, the airport operator confirmed that no further incidents were caused by the debris, and no additional safety risks were identified.

What Is the Current Status of the Aircraft?

As of February 9, 2026, the Boeing 737-800 involved in the incident remains grounded at Taoyuan International Airport. T’way Air dispatched a relief aircraft later that evening to ferry passengers scheduled for the return flight to Jeju. The airline has confirmed that they are cooperating fully with Taiwanese authorities as the investigation continues.

T’way Air has expressed its regret for the disruption caused by the incident and reassured passengers that the safety and well-being of its passengers are its top priority. The airline has stated that it is working closely with both the CAA and the TTSB to identify the root cause of the tire detachment and ensure the continued safety of its fleet.

What Is Being Done to Improve Aviation Safety?

The incident at Taoyuan International Airport is a reminder of the importance of ongoing aviation safety protocols, especially with regard to aircraft maintenance. While investigations continue, it is clear that the response from both the airport and the airline was swift and effective, minimizing the impact on passengers and maintaining safety at the airport.

The CAA and TTSB are likely to implement additional measures based on the findings of the investigation. These may include revising maintenance procedures or enhancing safety checks on aircraft components to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Conclusion

The tire detachment incident involving T’way Air Flight TW687 on February 8, 2026, at Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport highlights the critical role of safety protocols in aviation. Thanks to the quick response from both the airline and airport authorities, the aircraft landed safely, and all passengers disembarked without harm. While the cause of the incident remains under investigation, it serves as a reminder of the complexities of aircraft operations and the importance of maintaining rigorous safety standards.

The situation was resolved quickly, and normal operations at Taoyuan resumed, but the investigation into the cause of the tire detachment is ongoing. As of now, the aircraft remains grounded, and all affected passengers have been safely rerouted. Authorities continue to investigate to ensure that similar incidents can be prevented in the future.