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Investigators work on crash jet Investigators work on crash jet
(about 2 hours later)
Air accident investigators have been working through a second night to try to learn why a British Airways plane crash-landed at Heathrow Airport. Investigators are trying to determine why both engines of a British Airways plane did not respond moments before it touched down at Heathrow Airport.
Both engines on the plane failed to respond to demands for extra thrust, an initial report has found. Co-pilot John Coward managed to land the stricken Boeing 777 jet just inside Heathrow's fence after the malfunction.
Despite continued demands for power the Boeing 777 "descended rapidly", landing short of the runway, the Air Accident Investigations Branch (AAIB) said. An initial report by the Air Accident Investigations Branch (AAIB) said the engines failed to respond to demands for increased thrust from the crew.
The right landing gear broke off from the wing as it landed, the report said. A more detailed analysis of the flight recorder is taking place.
The jet encountered problems just two miles from the airport, it added. The AAIB is also looking at "the range of aircraft systems that could influence engine operation".
All 136 passengers and 16 crew on the British Airways flight survived.
A significant amount of fuel leaked from the aircraft but there was no fire AAIB crash reportA significant amount of fuel leaked from the aircraft but there was no fire AAIB crash report
Earlier Captain Peter Burkill, who had been in overall charge of the plane, said Senior First Officer Coward had done a "most remarkable job" in landing the aircraft.
He also praised all the crew for showing "the highest standards of skill and professionalism".
"Flying is about teamwork and we had an outstanding team on board," he said.
The co-pilot's mother said he had been the right man for the job.
"I would put my life in his hands," said Myrene Coward, from Wiltshire.
How landing at Heathrow works
The AAIB report said all had gone normally with flight BA038 until the jet was just two miles from touchdown.
The plane was using an instrument landing system (ILS) approach, which allows pilots to follow a set path and be guided in, as it was coming into runway 27L at Heathrow.
It was flying at a height of about 600ft (180m) when the engines failed to respond to a demand for increased thrust from the jet's autothrottle.It was flying at a height of about 600ft (180m) when the engines failed to respond to a demand for increased thrust from the jet's autothrottle.
After continued demands for increased thrust, and with the "flight crew moving the throttle levers, the engines similarly failed to respond", the report indicated. Captain Burkill praised his crew at a press conference
After continued demands for increased thrust, and with the "flight crew moving the throttle levers, the engines similarly failed to respond", the report said.
"The aircraft speed reduced and the aircraft descended onto the grass short of the paved runway surface," it said."The aircraft speed reduced and the aircraft descended onto the grass short of the paved runway surface," it said.
The plane was using an instrument landing system (ILS) approach, which allows pilots to follow a set path and be guided in, as it was coming into runway 27L at Heathrow. The right landing gear broke off from the wing as it landed, the report said.
class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7196158.stm">How landing at Heathrow works All 136 passengers and 16 crew on the British Airways flight survived.
The report noted that during the crash-landing: "A significant amount of fuel leaked from the aircraft but there was no fire." The report said that during the crash-landing: "A significant amount of fuel leaked from the aircraft but there was no fire."
Heathrow is expected to run a normal schedule of flights on Saturday, although passengers are advised to check with their airline before making their trip.Heathrow is expected to run a normal schedule of flights on Saturday, although passengers are advised to check with their airline before making their trip.
Earlier Captain Peter Burkill revealed the jet was brought in to land by the co-pilot.
Captain Burkill praised his crew at a press conference
At a news conference before the report was released, Mr Burkill said Senior First Officer John Coward had done a "most remarkable job" in landing the aircraft.
He also praised all the crew for showing "the highest standards of skill and professionalism".
"Flying is about teamwork and we had an outstanding team on board," he said.
During the emergency evacuation via the slides all occupants left the aircraft, one person suffered a broken leg and others received minor injuries.During the emergency evacuation via the slides all occupants left the aircraft, one person suffered a broken leg and others received minor injuries.
The AAIB said it had been notified of the accident within a few minutes and a team of inspectors had gone to the airport.