Regarding approaching an overheated wheel or tire assembly, which statement is correct?

• A. The approach should be from the four- or aft-wheel area only
• B. The approach should be from the nose-wheel area
• C. The approach should be from the cockpit
• D. The approach should be from above the wing

Answer: (A)

When a wheel or tire is overheated, the safest way to approach is from the sides of the wheel assembly, the four- or aft-wheel area. This stance minimizes exposure to radiant heat and any possible debris or a tire rupture that could occur as the wheel cools or fails. From the side, you can observe the wheel conditions and reach the area with safety equipment if needed, without standing in the path of a potential forward or backward blast. Approaching from the nose-wheel area would put you in a more exposed line of potential debris and heat, while approaching from above the wing or from the cockpit is impractical for physically accessing and addressing the overheated gear.