HEATHROW CRASH

Heathrow Crash: Fault 'Not Covered By Rules'


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Buzz Up! Print StorySafety requirements did not cover the ice problem which caused a plane to crash-land at Heathrow two years ago, according to an official report into the accident. Skip related content
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Heathrow Crash: 'Ice Not Covered By Rules'
Play video Heathrow Crash: 'Ice Not Covered By Rules' Play video Unforeseen Ice Problem Caused Heathrow Crash Enlarge photo More photos: Heathrow
The crash of the British Airways 777 on January 17, 2008 came after the plane lost power due to a restricted fuel flow to both engines, a final report from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said.

The AAIB concluded that it was probable that the engine fuel flow restriction was caused by a build-up of ice within the fuel system.

The AAIB said: "Certification requirements, with which the aircraft and engine fuel system had to comply, did not take account of this phenomenon as the risk was unrecognised at that time."

The report added that research in the 1950s had identified the problem of ice formation in fuel systems from dissolved or trapped water, but did not identify the scenario of accumulated ice release and subsequent restriction to fuel flow.

Having lost power the BA plane, carrying 136 passengers from Beijing, came down within the airfield boundary at Heathrow but 330 metres short of the runway.

The jet slid 372 metres on its undercarriage before coming to rest.

The left main landing gear (MLG) collapsed and the right MLG separated from the plane. All the passengers were safely evacuated, with one passenger breaking a leg.

All told, 34 passengers and 12 cabin crew suffered minor injuries, mainly to the back and neck.

The report said that the cabin crew, led by Captain Peter Burkill, had become aware of a possible engine thrust problem just 43 seconds from touchdown.

Losing speed, the crew tried to increase engine thrust but there was no response from the engines. With a touchdown short of the runway inevitable, a Mayday call was put out three seconds before touchdown.

The AAIB made a total of 18 safety recommendations including some which address plane "crashworthiness", the ability of an aircraft to withstand an accident.

A British Airways spokesman said: "We welcome this final report. The crew of BA38 did a fantastic job in extremely difficult circumstances."

BA added that although there were no specific safety recommendations for the airline, it had worked with the relevant authorities and manufacturers "to ensure that the highest safety levels are maintained".

MIGRATING TO DEATH

Japanese authorities have found the body of a man in the landing gear of an airliner that arrived in Tokyo from New York. Skip related content
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Man's Body Found In Landing Gear Of US Flight
Enlarge photo .The man, who was of dark complexion and dressed only in blue jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, was carrying no passport or personal belongings.

A mechanic found the body in the landing gear bay of the Delta Airlines Boeing 777, after Flight 59 landed at Tokyo's Narita International Airport, a Chiba prefecture police spokesman said.

After the passengers disembarked, the aircraft was towed to a freight area. The maintenance worker found the man inside the door of the landing gear storage compartment.

Airport police said there were no external injuries on the man's body, but there were traces of frostbite believed to have occurred while the plane was airborne.

"Doctors say he probably froze to death and that he suffered a shortage of oxygen at an altitude of more than 30,000 feet," said Narita Airport police spokesman Yoshimi Ichihara.

"We found no passport, no bag and no personal belongings. If he carried any luggage, it must have all dropped out when the airplane opened the landing gear bay above the ocean before it landed."

There is enough space for a person to hide in the main landing gear housing compartment, but the area is not pressurised with the cabin of the aircraft.

Consequently there have been several cases in which stowaways have hidden in the housing compartment, but died due to a shortage of oxygen and the freezing temperatures.

Japanese authorities are seeking help from US police to identify the man.

TOYOTA RECALLS

The Toyota recall is potentially going to cost the company heavily
Toyota is in the process of recalling millions of cars owing to fears of a sticking accelerator pedal.

Cars in the US, Europe and China are all involved in the recall but different models are affected.

The carmaker has apologised for the problems but stresses that only a small proportion of its vehicles are affected. It says only 26 cases have been reported in Europe.

Both diesel and petrol cars are affected.

What is the issue that has raised concerns?

There is a problem with the accelerator pedal that in some cases has become stuck. This is the result of the pedal becoming worn, the company says.

Separately in the US, there have been fears that accelerator pedals have been stuck in the floor mat.

Millions of vehicles have been recalled in the US, 1.8 million cars across Europe are involved in the recall including 180,865 vehicles in the UK, and others are being brought in in China.

Specifically which vehicles are being recalled?

For the floormat issue in the US, Toyota, Lexus and Pontiac vehicles affected are: 2007-2010 Camry, 2005-2010 Avalon, 2004-2009 Prius, 2005-2010 Tacoma, 2007-2010 Tundra, 2007-2010 ES 350, 2006-2010 IS 250 and IS350, 2008-2010 Highlander, 2009-2010 Corolla, 2009-2010 Venza, 2009-2010 Matrix, and the 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe.

Those recalled for the sticking pedal in the US are 2007-2008 Tundra, 2008-2010 Sequoia, 2005-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 Camry, 2009-2010 Corolla, 2009-2010 Matrix, 2009-2010 RAV4, 2010 Highlander, and the 2009-2010 Vibe.

In the UK, the affected models are February 2005 - August 2009 AYGO, November 2008 - November 2009 iQ, November 2005 - September 2009 Yaris, October 2006 - 5 January 2010 Auris, October 2006 - December 2009 Corolla, February 2009 - 5 Jan 2010 Verso, November 2008 - December 2009 Avensis.

Are any other brands involved?

Toyota has admitted a software problem in the new Prius's brakes, but says it has now been fixed, and did not affect vehicles in the UK. So far it has not recalled any Prius cars.

Drivers of Peugeots and Citroens have contacted the BBC News website raising concerns. The Peugeot 107, Citroen C1 and the Toyota Aygo are essentially the same car with different styling and fittings and made at a Czech plant.

As a result, Peugeot Citroen, Europe's second-biggest carmaker, will be recalling "fewer than 100,000" cars made with Toyota in Europe.

Meanwhile, in an unrelated move, rival carmaker Honda has announced the recall of 646,000 cars globally to fix a switch defect that could cause a fire.

What do I do if I get a "sticky accelerator" when driving?

Toyota says drivers will not suddenly find that they have a sticking accelerator. At first, it is likely to be heavier to press or shudder and at that point they should contact the company.

However, if the accelerator does stick when driving, the motorist should press firmly on the brake - instead of pumping it, put the car into neutral, and pull over when safe.

What do I do next?

If you are in the US, you should contact your dealer.

For more information, consumers can contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Hotline at 888-327-4236 or the Toyota Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 or the Lexus Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-255-3987.

Information from Toyota is also posted at the Toyota website or the Lexus website .

In the UK, cars will start being repaired from 10 February. The repairs will be carried out by qualified Toyota technicians, at Toyota-approved service centres and will take 30 minutes.

In the meantime there is a hotline - 0800 1388 744 - and a dedicated website .

The company is also working with the DVLA and will write to car owners whose vehicles could be affected. This will also include owners who have bought the cars second-hand.

A website that would allow owners to check their vehicles registration number is also being developed.