‘American Airlines is investigating an incident yesterday during which the engine on one of its Boeing 777-200ERs apparently failed to respond to throttle commands for several seconds during approach to Los Angeles.
The incident involved American’s flight AA299 from Miami and occurred at a height of around 2,000ft as the aircraft was descending to Los Angeles.
In an information statement to members, the Allied Pilots Association – which represents American Airlines cockpit crew – says the aircraft experienced a “hang-up” of its left-hand engine.
“The auto-throttles were on and the left engine hung at approach idle as the right engine accelerated normally,” says the association.
“It is believed that the left engine would not respond to throttle inputs for 10-15 seconds before finally responding and accelerating to the commanded thrust.”
All of American’s 777-200ERs are fitted with Rolls-Royce Trent 800 powerplants.
Maintenance personnel have downloaded the flight-data recorder information and will examine the fuel tanks and engine fuel filters for possible contamination. Tests will also be carried out on the electronic engine control.
Neither the US FAA nor the US National Transportation Safety Board has given any further information on the incident. The pilots’ association has not identified the specific aircraft involved. American Airlines could not immediately be reached to confirm the incident.
Investigators in the UK are still trying to determine the reasons why both Trent 800 engines on a British Airways 777-200ER failed to respond to throttle-increase commands during final approach to London Heathrow on 17 January, resulting in the aircraft crashing short of the runway.’
Source: flightglobal.com
Well the theory is that there’s a problem with a recent software update on the triple seven…
By: Bmused55 - 4th March 2008 at 07:48
I find this statement remarkable when you consider how close the incident at LHR was to being quite possibly the most horriffic aviation accident ever on British soil. Surely if there is a problem with the 777 it really should be investigated thoroughly?
Paul
Cleary it should and is being investigated.
However, its far too early to suggest the incidents are linked.
That was my point.
As for the most horrific aviation accident on british soil? I’d put the Staines trident crash in that category, considering everyone got off the ba777
By: Ship 741 - 4th March 2008 at 02:50
Shouldn’t someone point out that the source for this story, the APA, is currently involved in a contract negotiation and has less than a stellar record with regard to accuracy? To wit, their going public last year with statements that AA was UNSAFE because they were using 5% International fuel reserves instead of the FAR required 10%. Note that the ability to use the 5% was obtained legally by the FAA and there haven’t been any significant fuel events since then involving AA and their use of 5%.
APA also conducted an illegal wildcat strike a few years ago during a negotation with the result that a federal judge fined them $10 million, a fine that was UPHELD upon appeal to another court IIRC.
Hey, don’t kill the messenger, I just want to point out that using APA as a single source ain’t the best plan……..
I’ve no doubt that FAA, AA, Boeing, RR, GE, and all the subcontractors (Hamilton Sunstrand was mentioned) are as on top of the situation as they can be as part of their routine processes and controls.
By: PMN - 4th March 2008 at 00:05
Precisely my line of thought!
Two incidents in goodness knows many hundreds of thousands (maybe millions) of flight hours and they’re already calling it bad times.
A little premature IMO.
I find this statement remarkable when you consider how close the incident at LHR was to being quite possibly the most horriffic aviation accident ever on British soil. Surely if there is a problem with the 777 it really should be investigated thoroughly?
Paul
By: Bmused55 - 3rd March 2008 at 22:36
Blind refuses to respond to passenger input ! 😀
LMAO! good one!
But honestly, are we gonna start hearing about every single incident involving as 777 now?
Thats gonna be as tiresome as the “FIRST A380 FOR XXXXX AIRLINE!!!!” threads
By: J Boyle - 3rd March 2008 at 22:21
This Aviation Week article says that the AA pilots group believe the events are not related.
It outlines what maintenance procedures will be done to the aircraft.
By: J Boyle - 3rd March 2008 at 21:20
How would we know? They wouldnt exactly be able to say “Boeing killed me”!;)
Don’t worry, it would be well known…especially since Airbus and Boeing use the same subcontractors…just like the do for engines, brakes, avionics…:rolleyes: 🙂
By: andrewm - 3rd March 2008 at 19:49
No conspiracy of silence…I’m guessing Boeing hasn’t even ordered anyone killed to keep quiet.:rolleyes:
How would we know? They wouldnt exactly be able to say “Boeing killed me”!;)
By: J Boyle - 3rd March 2008 at 19:20
I think the question is would this of even come to media light had the incident with G-YMMM at Heathrow ever happened? or would it of been kept within AA/Boeing and whoever and sorted out accordingly?
Nope. If it looked serious…eith a one time event or a fleet wide problem the FAA would get involved…and once that happens it’s public record.
No conspiracy of silence…I’m guessing Boeing hasn’t even ordered anyone killed to keep quiet.:rolleyes:
By: Ren Frew - 3rd March 2008 at 19:11
Breaking News!!:
777 completes flight with one window blind missing :diablo:
Blind refuses to respond to passenger input ! 😀
By: Bmused55 - 3rd March 2008 at 18:34
Breaking News!!:
777 completes flight with one window blind missing :diablo:
By: CKTfan - 3rd March 2008 at 18:16
False warning light in the flightdeck showing a fire in the hold. Still sitting in GLA just now waiting for a part and engineer to be flown from LHR.
No ETD as yet.
By: Ren Frew - 3rd March 2008 at 18:15
Just seen elsewhere that an American Airlines 777 has just been forced to make an emergency landing at Glasgow International in Scotland.
A hold fire detector warning went off in the cockpit, they landed safely, no fire found, faulty warning system, engineer despatched to repair.
By: Arabella-Cox - 3rd March 2008 at 13:39
Just seen elsewhere that an American Airlines 777 has just been forced to make an emergency landing at Glasgow International in Scotland.
By: Bmused55 - 3rd March 2008 at 13:10
Precisely my line of thought!
Two incidents in goodness knows many hundreds of thousands (maybe millions) of flight hours and they’re already calling it bad times.
A little premature IMO.
By: Future Pilot - 3rd March 2008 at 12:15
I think the question is would this of even come to media light had the incident with G-YMMM at Heathrow ever happened? or would it of been kept within AA/Boeing and whoever and sorted out accordingly?
By: Arabella-Cox - 3rd March 2008 at 11:13
Just a question. Who would be the responsible, Boeing or Rolls Royce?.
Boeing – due to the recent system upgrades on there MCs etc.
By: Distiller - 1st March 2008 at 17:19
Just a question. Who would be the responsible, Boeing or Rolls Royce?.
Hamilton Sundstrand
By: symon - 1st March 2008 at 15:56
I would guess it would depend on the origin of the fault. The engine manufacturer supplies the engine with fittings to fuel lines and electrics to control and monitor the performance of the engine. I’m not saying that faults with engines don’t happen but I would tend to think there would be a greater chance of a fault happening on the aircraft side due to the increased number of variables and hence the possible areas for something to go wrong.
I think it is important to realise that even though we have reached a stage of incredible engineering power we cannot predict the full life cycle of parts as there are too many variables to factor in. Many advances have been made from aircraft crashes due to lessons learnt. In this example (the AA and BA engine problems); another lesson may be learnt that will improve further design and operation.
By: keltic - 1st March 2008 at 15:40
Just a question. Who would be the responsible, Boeing or Rolls Royce?.
By: PMN - 1st March 2008 at 15:22
Its only a coincidence. The 777 is a very safe aircraft in my opinion.
Remember the problem DC10’s had.
The flaws in the DC-10 design were discovered relatively early in its career, not after over a decade in service. I’d be very interested to hear how the problems on the AA aircraft compare to those the crew of G-YMMM experienced.
Paul
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March 1, 2008 at 2:13 pm