By Farah Grasp
HONG KONG (Reuters) -The Turkish-operated cargo aircraft that skidded off the runway at Hong Kong’s worldwide airport final month, killing two airport employees, skilled an acceleration in considered one of its 4 engines after touchdown, an preliminary investigation has discovered.
A preliminary report from Hong Kong’s Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) launched late on Tuesday mentioned the flight from Dubai, operated by ACT Airways on behalf of Emirates, was regular till shortly after touchdown.
The Boeing 747 cargo aircraft had been dispatched with the thrust reverser on engine 4 not working, which was allowable below aviation guidelines, the report mentioned.
Thrust reversers redirect the engine thrust ahead after touchdown to assist gradual the plane.
After the aircraft, being flown by the primary officer, touched down on the runway, its computerized braking system disengaged and the captain took management, investigators mentioned.
Shortly afterward, engine 4, on the far proper aspect of the aircraft, accelerated to 90% thrust earlier than surging to 106% to 107% over 12 seconds.
Thrust reversers have been activated on the opposite three engines after the aircraft veered left off the runway. It struck a safety automobile, pushing it into the ocean and killing the 2 airport employees inside.
It was the deadliest airport incident within the monetary hub in additional than 25 years.
All 4 crew on board survived however the aircraft was destroyed, with the tail part separating on influence, the report mentioned.
Steven Dominique Cheung, chairman of the Hong Kong Skilled Airline Pilots Affiliation, mentioned it was extremely uncommon for a aircraft to speed up after touchdown.
With the appropriate aspect engine at full energy and different engines making an attempt to gradual the aircraft, there may be “no manner you possibly can preserve management,” he mentioned.
Boeing referred queries on the preliminary report back to AAIA.
Emirates and ACT Airways didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.
The reason for the crash nonetheless must be decided by a full investigation. AAIA mentioned it was amassing additional information together with technical points associated to the plane’s programs, engineering points, upkeep data and flight crew {qualifications}.
Hong Kong’s Transport and Logistics Bureau mentioned on its Fb web page it aimed to launch a closing report inside a yr, which is according to worldwide requirements.
(Reporting by Farah Grasp; Enhancing by Jamie Freed)