20 JAN 2008 _______________________________________ *Auto-Throttle Cited In BA Crash *AAIB: both engines did not respond in B777 accident *Angola Plane Crash Kills at Least 11 *************************************** Auto-Throttle Cited In BA Crash Initial findings into the crash landing of a British Airways Boeing 777 at London Heathrow Airport on Jan. 17 show that both engines failed to respond to auto-throttle demands for increased power with the aircraft on late final approach. The British Air Accidents Investigation Branch's (AAIB) initial statement into the incident involving British Airways flight BA038 from Beijing reports that "at approximately 600 feet and two miles from touch down, the auto-throttle demanded an increase in thrust... but the engines did not respond." Further auto-throttle demands also met with no response, as did manual movement of the throttle levers by the flight crew. The aircraft lost speed and descended rapidly onto the ground about 1,000 feet short of Runway 27L's paved surface, and "just inside" the boundary fence. The right landing gear broke off during the aircraft's deceleration, while the left main gear was "pushed up through the wing root." The AAIB also notes "a significant amount of fuel leaked from the aircraft." None of the 16 crew and only one of the 136 passengers was seriously hurt as a result of the incident. The British Airways aircraft was powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 895 turbofan engines. The AAIB investigation is now focusing on further analysis of flight recorder information, and examining aircraft systems that could impact engine operation. http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/AAIB01188.xml&headl ine=Auto-Throttle%20Cited%20In%20BA%20Crash&channel=comm **************** AAIB: both engines did not respond in B777 accident The AAIB released an inital report on the Boeing 777 accident at London-Heathrow. Initial indications from the interviews and Flight Recorder analyses show the flight and approach to have progressed normally until the aircraft was established on late finals for Runway 27L. At approximately 600 ft and 2 miles from touch down, the Autothrottle demanded an increase in thrust from the two engines but the engines did not respond. Following further demands for increased thrust from the Autothrottle, and subsequently the flight crew moving the throttle levers, the engines similarly failed to respond. The aircraft speed reduced and the aircraft descended onto the grass short of the paved runway surface. (AAIB) AAIB Ref: EW/C2008/01/01: http://www.aaib.gov.uk/latest_news/accident__heathrow_17_january_2008___init ial_report.cfm ***** Status: Preliminary - official Date: 17 JAN 2008 Time: 12:43 Type: Boeing 777-236ER Operator: British Airways Registration: G-YMMM C/n / msn: 30314/342 First flight: 2001 Engines: 2 Rolls-Royce RB211 Trent 895-17 Crew: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 16 Passengers: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 136 Total: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 152 Airplane damage: Substantial Location: London-Heathrow Airport (LHR) (United Kingdom) Phase: Landing Nature: International Scheduled Passenger Departure airport: Beijing-Capital Airport (PEK/ZBAA), China Destination airport: London-Heathrow Airport (LHR/EGLL), United Kingdom Narrative: Following an uneventful flight from Beijing, China, the aircraft was established on an ILS approach to Runway 27L at London Heathrow. Initially the approach progressed normally, with the Autopilot and Autothrottle engaged, until the aircraft was at a height of approximately 600 ft and 2 miles from touch down. The aircraft then descended rapidly and struck the ground, some 1,000 ft short of the paved runway surface, just inside the airfield boundary fence. The aircraft stopped on the very beginning of the paved surface of Runway 27L. During the short ground roll the right main landing gear separated from the wing and the left main landing gear was pushed up through the wing root. A significant amount of fuel leaked from the aircraft but there was no fire. An emergency evacuation via the slides was supervised by the cabin crew and all occupants left the aircraft, some receiving minor injuries. Initial indications from the interviews and Flight Recorder analyses show the flight and approach to have progressed normally until the aircraft was established on late finals for Runway 27L. At approximately 600 ft and 2 miles from touch down, the Autothrottle demanded an increase in thrust from the two engines but the engines did not respond. Following further demands for increased thrust from the Autothrottle, and subsequently the flight crew moving the throttle levers, the engines similarly failed to respond. The aircraft speed reduced and the aircraft descended onto the grass short of the paved runway surface. (aviation-safety.net) *************** Angola Plane Crash Kills at Least 11 LUANDA, Angola (AP) - A twin-engine plane slammed into a mountain in rain and fog in Angola's central highlands Saturday, killing at least 11 people, state media reported. Angolan National Radio said there were no survivors among the 11 people on board during in the morning crash of the Beechcraft-200. State news agency Angop quoted civil aviation officials as saying 12 people were killed. Officials could not immediately be reached for comment. The aircraft crashed near Huambo, a city 320 miles southeast of the capital, Luanda, media said. An army team reached the crash site and reported no survivors, according to the radio report. The twin-propeller plane, owned by private airline Gira Globo, had tried to land a two local airports during rain and fog before it crashed, the reports said. The Beechcraft 200 can carry up to 16 people. Angola's last plane crash occurred in July, when a Boeing 737 plane carrying 79 passengers went down in a rural area. Five people died in that accident. The Southwest African country has a poor record in air safety, largely due to poor maintenance. Its national airline TAAG is on the European Union's blacklist and is prohibited from flying to European destinations. ****************