29 January 2008
It is emerging that the engines on the Boeing 777 which landed short of the runway at Heathrow earlier this month were running on impact.
An interim report from the AAIB suggests that “the engines both initially responded but after about three seconds the thrust of the right engine reduced 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 investigation is now looking to establish what caused this loss of thrust, with some speculation centring around the fuel, and in particular whether there might have been water in the tanks.
Whether that turns out to be the cause of the incident or not, it’s a reminder to check your fuel before flying.
