Jay Honeck wrote:

See:

http://www.alexisparkinn.com/photoga..._Nosewheel.jpg

Airbus may not know how to make a landing gear mechanism that works
reliably, but they sure do know how to make it TOUGH. It's hard to
imagine the stresses on that gear as the wheels ground themselves into
oblivion...

I don't know for sure, but it may well be that this caused less stress
than the tires would at maximum braking. I'm guessing the wheels are
aluminum and once it got hot and began to melt, the friction may not
have been all that great.

If you don't believe me, make a skid that has an aluminum plate on the
bottom and make another and put cut up tire treads on it. Place a
hundred pounds or so on top and then try to slide each across your driveway.


Matt