A plane aborted take-off on a Gatwick runway after its co-pilot muddled up his left and right hands, investigators have found. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said the error resulted in the aircraft's brakes catching fire. The 28 June incident - involving a British Airways flight to Vancouver, Canada -led to a 50-minute runway closureand 23 cancelled departures at the West Sussex airport. A British Airways spokesperson said: "Safety is always our highest priority and our pilots brought the aircraft to a safe stop." Gatwick Airport has been contacted for comment. A 13-person crew and 334 passengers were on board during the incident, according tothe AAIB report. Investigators said the co-pilot "unintentionally" moved a lever to his left when he was supposed to move a lever to his right instead. This reduced the Boeing 777 aircraft's thrust at a time when the aircraft's commander called for the plane to start pulling up, they said. According to the investigation's findings, the co-pilot "momentarily" sped up again before abandoning take-off. The plane "stopped some distance before the end of the runway" but airport firefighting crews were called to put out a fire on the right-hand landing gear. There were no reported injuries. The AAIB said British Airways analysis of the event showed the morning was otherwise "unremarkable" and there were no obvious distractions or workload problems prior to the fire. The co-pilot, who had over 6,100 hours of flying experience, "expressed surprise" over the mistake and "could not identify a reason for it", according to the report. He last flew two weeks before the incident. British Airways had issued a safety notice reminding pilots to "pause before execution and cognitively consider what the required action is" four days before the incident, the AAIB said. The agency added that the airline had "included 'mis-selections' in a new 'safety topic' section of its pre-flight briefing material for crew" and was promoting focus during regular simulator training for pilots. Follow BBC Sussex onFacebook, onX, and onInstagram. Send your story ideas tosoutheasttoday@bbc.co.ukor WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.
Plane caught fire as pilot confused left and right
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Co-pilot's Error Leads to Fire During British Airways Flight Take-off"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
On June 28, a British Airways flight to Vancouver was forced to abort its take-off at Gatwick Airport after a critical error occurred involving the co-pilot's confusion over left and right. According to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), the co-pilot unintentionally moved a lever to his left instead of to his right, which led to the aircraft's brakes catching fire. The incident resulted in a 50-minute closure of the runway and caused 23 departures to be canceled. Fortunately, all 334 passengers and the 13-person crew onboard were unharmed, and British Airways confirmed that safety remained their highest priority throughout the situation. The aircraft, a Boeing 777, stopped safely before reaching the end of the runway, but firefighting crews had to be deployed to extinguish the flames that had ignited on the right-hand landing gear.
The investigation highlighted that the co-pilot, who had accumulated over 6,100 flying hours, expressed surprise at his mistake and was unable to pinpoint a reason for the incident. Prior to the flight, British Airways had issued a safety notice reminding pilots to pause and carefully consider their actions before execution, underscoring the importance of focus during operations. The AAIB noted that the morning of the flight had been otherwise unremarkable, with no significant distractions or workload issues reported leading up to the event. In response to the incident, British Airways has since included 'mis-selections' in a new safety topic for pre-flight briefings and has emphasized the need for heightened focus in regular simulator training for its pilots. The airline's proactive measures aim to enhance safety and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The incident involving a British Airways flight that aborted take-off due to a co-pilot's confusion over left and right raises several concerns regarding aviation safety and pilot training. The report indicates that this error led to a significant situation, including a fire in the aircraft's landing gear, and resulted in the cancellation of numerous flights at Gatwick Airport.
Implications for Aviation Safety
This incident highlights potential gaps in pilot training and situational awareness. The fact that the co-pilot, despite having over 6,100 hours of flying experience, made such a fundamental error suggests that there might be inadequacies in training protocols. British Airways had recently issued safety reminders about cognitive checks before executing commands, indicating an awareness of the potential for human error. The emphasis on cognitive pauses in high-stakes environments like aviation is crucial and should be reinforced continuously.
Public Perception and Trust
The portrayal of the incident in the media could influence public confidence in the airline industry. By framing the event as a result of a simple human error, there is a risk of minimizing the seriousness of aviation safety protocols. However, British Airways’ prompt response and the absence of injuries may help maintain a level of trust among passengers. The airline's commitment to safety could be underscored by this incident, potentially reassuring the public.
Potential Concealment or Overlooked Issues
While the report does not suggest any underlying issues beyond the immediate error, there may be broader systemic concerns regarding pilot training and operational standards that could be glossed over. If this incident is viewed merely as an isolated mistake, it might obscure discussions about necessary changes in training practices or oversight in aviation safety.
Comparison with Other Incidents
When compared to other aviation incidents where human error led to significant consequences, this event may appear less severe. However, it also serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing even minor errors to prevent escalation. The media often highlights such incidents to draw attention to safety practices, potentially leading to regulatory changes or increased scrutiny of airline operations.
Community Reactions and Support
The narrative surrounding this incident may resonate more with communities that prioritize safety and accountability, such as aviation professionals, regulatory bodies, and safety advocates. Conversely, casual travelers might have varied reactions based on their personal experiences with airlines. The focus on safety and the airline's quick response may garner support from those concerned about air travel reliability.
Economic and Market Implications
While this incident might not have an immediate impact on the stock market, ongoing concerns about aviation safety can influence airline stocks in the long term. Investors often react to safety incidents, and airlines with a reputation for safety may see less volatility in their stock prices compared to those with a history of safety issues. British Airways, being part of a larger group, may experience fluctuations depending on broader market sentiments regarding safety in air travel.
Global Context and Today’s Agenda
In the context of global aviation safety, this incident reflects ongoing discussions about human factors in flight operations. As airlines worldwide face increasing scrutiny over their safety protocols, this event may contribute to a larger narrative about the need for improved training and oversight within the industry. The timing of this incident, following safety reminders, could prompt further examination of existing practices.
The analysis of the incident suggests that while it is grounded in reality, its implications extend beyond the immediate event itself. By focusing on the co-pilot's error, the narrative might inadvertently downplay the systemic issues that could be at play. Overall, the reliability of the report is strengthened by the absence of injuries and the airline's transparency in addressing the situation.