Hard Landing (18 photos) Bashny.Net

The reason for the emergency landing liner "Boeing 777" British airline British Airways (BA) at London's Heathrow airport was the refusal of the electronic engine control systems, according to preliminary results released by the investigation of the incident. Emergency situation arose on January 17 in the afternoon at a height of about 200 meters, when the aircraft was about three miles from the landing site. "Autopilot aircraft requested an increase in thrust, but it never happened. When the crew tried to do it manually, it is also failed, "- stated in the document, drawn up on the basis of the testimony of the crew, passengers and analysis of flight recorders (" black boxes "). Under these conditions, the pilot, who had about half a minute for reflection, decided to lower the nose of the aircraft to maintain your speed and make an emergency landing before it reached the runway. "The plane coming down rapidly and hit the ground, but only flew over the fence outside the airport," - the report says.


As a result, the aircraft, flying VA38 from Beijing to London, landed on the grass, and then dragged him a few tens of meters on the ground before the runway. Deaths among 136 passengers and 16 crew members were not, 18 people were injured. All aboard people inflatable slides were able to evacuate the aircraft within 90 seconds after stopping the aircraft. The aircraft commander Peter Burkill at a press conference on Friday expressed his gratitude for the professionalism and calm during the state of emergency all crew, passengers and ground services.


He said that at the time of landing liner ran chief pilot John Coward. It was he who, in the words of the commander, passengers owe their salvation. Despite the meaning of his name ("soward" in English means "coward"), Coward showed courage and endurance, having to make a decision only about 30 seconds.


Investigation into the causes of the incident instructed British security service. It is expected that within a month she would prepare a detailed report. The victim liner, which took off during the emergency landing gear and damaged the fuselage and wings, remains on the tarmac and blocks the ability for aircraft landing on one of the two runways of the airport. Passengers still have not received your luggage, which may has been damaged or destroyed as a result of the accident.


At the site of the incident are continuing investigations. In particular, on Friday, police and airport officials had to collect and analyze the debris scattered in a radius of several tens of meters from the aircraft.