Definition
A condition during landing rollout in which a tire stops rotating while the airplane continues to move forward, causing the tire to slide along the runway surface instead of rolling. It typically results from heavy or abrupt braking, especially on wet, icy, or contaminated runways, and produces a loss of directional control and steering authority through that wheel.
Plain English
The wheel stops turning but the airplane keeps moving, so the tire slides along the runway like a car skidding when the brakes are slammed on. While it's sliding, that wheel can't steer or slow the airplane normally.
Context Anchor
Seen during landing rollouts or rejected takeoffs when heavy braking is used, especially on wet or contaminated runways.
Derivation
“Locked” here means held from turning. “Skid” means to slide without rolling or gripping normally. Together, “locked-wheel skid” describes a wheel that is no longer rotating and is sliding across the runway surface.
Why Pilots Care
It sharply reduces braking effectiveness, can trigger reverted rubber hydroplaning, and may cause loss of directional control.
Analogy
It is like locking the rear brake on a bicycle: the wheel stops turning, but the bicycle keeps moving, so the tire scrapes along the ground instead of rolling.
Grounding Statement
Picture the brakes holding the wheel still while the airplane continues forward; the tire is being rubbed across the runway instead of turning.
Intuition Check
“Locked” does not usually mean the wheel is broken or mechanically stuck here. It means braking has stopped the wheel from rotating while the airplane is still moving.
Example Sentence 1
When the pilot stomped on the brakes on the wet runway, the right main entered a locked-wheel skid and the airplane began drifting toward the centerline.
Example Sentence 2
The pilot released brake pressure to end the locked-wheel skid and regain rolling contact with the runway.