Report on Heathrow landing released
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The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) has released a report with its initial findings on the British Airways incident on 24 May.
The report confirms that the Airbus A319 was forced to make an emergency landing because the doors on both engines were left unlatched during maintenance before the flight.
The unlatched engines caused a fire onboard the flight after a fuel pipe was punctured on the right engine.
The report states the following:
“As the aircraft departed Runway 27L at London Heathrow Airport, the fan cowl doors from both engines detached, puncturing a fuel pipe on the right engine and damaging the airframe, and some aircraft systems. The flight crew elected to return to Heathrow. On the approach to land an external fire developed on the right engine. The left engine continued to perform normally throughout the flight. The right engine was shut down and the aircraft landed safely and was brought to a stop on Runway 27R. The emergency services quickly attended and extinguished the fire in the right engine. The passengers and crew evacuated the aircraft via the escape slides, without injury.
Keith Williams, British Airways chief executive, said:
“We welcome the publication of the AAIB interim report. We continue to cooperate fully with the investigation team and can confirm that appropriate initial action has already been taken in accordance with the AAIB’s safety recommendation to Airbus.
“We regret we are precluded from releasing or discussing any additional details while the AAIB investigation is ongoing.
“We commend the professionalism of the flight crew for the safe landing of the plane and the cabin crew and pilots for its safe evacuation.
“We continue to offer our full support to those customers who were onboard the flight.”
“Subsequent investigation revealed that the fan cowl doors on both engines were left unlatched during maintenance and this was not identified prior to aircraft departure.”
