Posted on February 19, 2008 by Fiona Hilliard

No evidence of mechanical fault has been found in the engine of the British Airways 777 that skidded off the runway of Heathrow Airport on January 17th last.
According to the latest  interim report, “The autopilot and the auto-throttle systems behaved correctly and the engine control systems were providing the correct commands prior to, during and after the reduction in thrust.”
The Air Accidents Investigation Board also ruled out foreign objects as a cause, saying “Examination of the engines indicated no evidence of mechanical defect or ingestion of birds or ice.”
All 136 passengers on board the aircraft escaped the accident safely, with only a few people suffering minor injuries.
Investigators originally pin-pointed engine failure as the cause of the crash.
The AAIB’s report made one important recommendation about the evacuation drill.  It said:
Boeing should notify all Boeing 777 operators of the necessity to operate the fuel control switch, to cut-off prior to operation of the fire handle, for both the fire drill and the evacuation drill, and ensure that all verions of its checklists, including electronic and placarded versions of the drill are consistnt with this procedure.”
Boeing has confirmed that it is accepting the recommendation.