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Jet's engines didn't shut down
24/01/2008 17:57 - (SA)
London - The British Airways plane that
crash-landed at Heathrow last week did not suffer a total power
failure as it approached the airport, investigators said on
Thursday.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch said the Boeing 777's
two engines failed to deliver extra thrust as it came into land,
but did not cut out completely.
In a second preliminary report, investigators said they were
still trying to work out what caused the lack of thrust during
the flight's final moments.
"The engines both initially responded, but after about three
seconds the thrust of the right engine reduced," the report
said. "Some eight seconds later the thrust reduced on the left
engine to a similar level.
"The engines did not shut down and both engines continued to
produce thrust at an engine speed above flight idle, but less
than the commanded thrust."
The reason for the lack of thrust is not yet known. The
plane, which was flying on autopilot, was carrying enough fuel.
Investigators will now examine the system which takes the
fuel from the tanks to the engines.
Eighteen passengers were slightly injured when BA Flight 38
from Beijing landed short of the runway last Thursday.
The plane's undercarriage was ripped off and its wings
damaged after it only just cleared the perimeter fence.
Scores of flights were cancelled.
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