Engines Didn't Respond in Heathrow Crash

Thrust failure began at 600 feet, 2 miles out, initial reports finds
By Zach Samalin,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 18, 2008 4:12 PM CST
Engines Didn't Respond in Heathrow Crash
Captain Peter Burkill, centre, and his crew Cabin Service Director Sharron Eaton-Mercer, right, and First Senior Officer John Coward, who were flying the British Airways Boeing 777 plane flying from China that landed short of the runway at London's Heathrow Airport, pose together after reading a statement...   (Associated Press)

Engine failure caused the crash landing of a British Airways Boeing 777 just off the runways at Heathrow Airport yesterday. An initial investigation into the crash revealed that the plane's twin engines "didn't respond" to demands for thrust "at approximately 600 feet and two miles from touchdown," reports the Guardian. A second report is due within 30 days.

It could be many months before a third and final full investigative report is published. One airport worker who saw the crash praised the pilot for being quick on his feet: "He just glided it in and lifted the nose up," he said, adding, "He lost power very close to coming in to land. He said he had no warning—it just went." (More Heathrow Airport stories.)

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