A passenger jet carrying 162 passengers was just 13 feet (four metres) above the ground when it cleared the end of the runway, risking a safe emergency stop, an investigation has found. The Boeing 737-800, with 162 passengers and six crew, was departing Luton airport for Athens, Greece, on April 22 last year when the incident occurred.
Pilot Error in Flight Management Computer Settings
A report from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) revealed pilots failed to adjust the settings on their flight management computer (FMC) after being asked to take off from an intersection on the runway, rather than use its full length. This resulted in the maximum amount of thrust being lower than required based on the available distance.
Aircraft Lifted Off 162 Metres from Runway End
The aircraft ultimately lifted off a mere 162 metres from the end of the runway, and was just 13ft above the ground when it crossed that point. The AAIB said: “If the aircraft had suffered a loss of thrust during take-off, there was a potential that it would not have been able to stop on the remaining paved surface following a decision to reject the take-off or, alternatively, achieve minimum height clearances during departure following a decision to continue the take-off.”
Standard Procedures for Take-off Thrust Settings
Airliner pilots preparing to take-off are required to enter thrust settings into their onboard computer which mean the aircraft has sufficient runway remaining in case they are forced to stop because of a failure. This also ensures they reach a minimum height to clear obstacles after passing the end of the runway.
Ascend Airways Ceased Operations
The flight involved in the incident at Luton airport was operated by Ascend Airways, which collapsed in April. The company, headquartered in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, offered wet-leasing, which involves supplying planes with pilots and cabin crew to other airlines.
