Engine fault causes BA crash landing(1)

Accident investigators view debris from a British Airways aircraft on the edge of the runway, following an emergency landing at Heathrow Airport in London Jan. 18, 2008. Heathrow, the busiest international airport in the world, struggled to return to normal on Friday after a crash landing on Thursday caused travel chaos but only minor injuries.   (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Photo Gallery>>>

    LONDON, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Both engines on the British Airways (BA) jet which crash-landed at Heathrow failed two miles short of the airport, the Sky News said on Friday.

    According to the report, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch said in its preliminary report on Thursday's near-disaster, "the Auto throttle demanded an increase in thrust from the two engines but the engines did not respond."

    Despite further demands for increased thrust from the auto throttle - and the flight crew moving the throttle levers - the engines did not respond, it added.

    On Thursday, BA38 from Beijing to London crash landed short of the runway at Heathrow Airport. And the emergency escape chutes were used and all 136 passengers on board have been led to safety.

    Six passengers are being treated for minor injuries. And Heathrow Airport's southern runway was closed to incoming and outgoing flights after the incident.

Fire fighters attend a British Airways Boeing 777 plane flying in from China that has landed short of the runway at London's Heathrow Airport, Thursday Jan. 17, 2008.Both engines on the British Airways (BA) jet which crash-landed at Heathrow failed two miles short of the airport.  (Xinhua Photo)
Photo Gallery>>>

    The preliminary investigation came after the captain of the Boeing 777 Peter Burkill praised his copilot, cabin staff, their passengers and rescue teams for playing crucial parts in averting a tragedy.

    "Flying is about teamwork and we had an outstanding team on board. As captain of the aircraft I am glad to say that every member of my team played their part expertly," Burkill, 43, said in a written statement at a news conference at the airline's headquarters in west London.

    "No one more so than my senior first officer, John Coward, the handling pilot on the final approach. He did the most remarkable job," said he.

BA flight crash-landing at Heathrow controlled by co-pilot

    LONDON, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- The crash landing of a British Airways (BA) jet at Heathrow Airport on Thursday was controlled by the co-pilot, it was revealed here on Friday.

    Captain Peter Burkill of the BA flight from Beijing to London told a press conference that senior first officer John Coward brought the plane in to land on Thursday afternoon.

BA flight lands short of runway

    LONDON, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- A British Airways (BA) passenger jet landed short of the runway at Heathrow Airport Thursday.

    The emergency escape chutes were used and passengers were led to safety, Sky News reported.