The State - News from May 30, 1985

A United Airlines Boeing 747 blew five of 18 tires on landing at San Francisco International Airport on Tuesday night because of a malfunctioning brake mechanism. Robert Palmer, a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, said a lengthy examination of Flight 180 from Honolulu determined that there was a minor malfunction of the brakes’ anti-skid system, which prevents the plane’s wheels from locking no matter how much pressure is exerted on the brakes. None of the 300 passengers and crew members was hurt. Palmer said five blown tires was unusual, but added, “Because of the tremendous inertia involved, it doesn’t take much to blow a tire.” He said the aircraft had gone into annual inspection and would not be flown again “prior to a lengthy inspection.” Spokesmen for both the airline and the union representing striking pilots agreed that the incident was not connected in any way to the pilots’ walkout.