MD-11
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Other / Unknown; Fatigue
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors; Weather
Descending for landing after a long duty period; the spoiler handle was harder than normal to pull back with the aircraft taking a slight roll to the right. The period began with two de-icings; one attempted block out with a return to gate; over six hours sitting in the aircraft monitoring ATIS-WX-ATC. The First Officer was pilot flying; he tried it twice; I tried it once to verify. Spoilers were noted to be slightly less on the left wind on the CONFIG page; thus confirming the roll. [We] landed smoothly in light left to right crosswind and the #8 tire failed immediately. [We] taxied slowly to the ramp after advising Maintenance and ATC. The airport sent a vehicle to inspect the runway and taxiway. [We] taxied to the ramp without any pull; dragging; or problem. The amount of slush prior to takeoff; including the taxiways; amounted to water freezing when airborne in both the spoilers and gear. We found out upon landing that ice and slush were the cause of the degraded spoilers. We were within the limits of the Type 4 deicing and left the gear down about 20 seconds after takeoff to aid in removal. Not quite sure if this helped as we were flying into the heavy wind; rain; and snow. We were at the limits of patience; duty; tiredness; and airport closure. Two B-777's were calling it quits and delaying their departures until the morning field opening. The operation was difficult on the Maintenance personnel also. We should have called it quits also and gone to the hotel.
MD11 Captain describes a long duty day caused by two de-icings and maintenance. The flight eventually departs from a slushy runway with snow falling. During descent for landing the spoilers will not deploy symmetrically and the handle is stiff. Upon landing a main gear tire fails immediately. Frozen brakes are suspected.