The plane nearly failed to clear the runway during takeoff (Picture: PA)
A Boeing passenger jet nearly ran off the end of a runway after a ‘software glitch’ disrupted its power controls, it has been reported.
The 737-800 was carrying 163 passengers and nine crew when it took off from Bristol Airport for a TUI flight to Gran Canaria on March 4.
It left the tarmac less than three seconds from the end and was flying with ‘insufficient thrust to meet regulated performance’, according to an official report seen by MailOnline.
While the plane did not suffer any further problems, the incident was described as ‘serious’ by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch of the Department of Transport (AAIB), which authored the report.
A log on the plane’s computer shows 11 faults on the day of the incident
Experts warn that failing to take off with enough thrust risks causing the plane to stall and crash to the ground, although it’s not clear whether the thrust used in this case was low enough to carry any such risk.
The document reportedly details 11 errors, including two in which the plane’s computers wrongly turned off its ‘autothrottle’ system.
The system saves pilots from having to manually control fuel flow by automating it in line with a selected flight phase such as takeoff, cruise or landing.
A graph showing how much slower the plane was travelling when it took off compared to other trajectories by the same type of plane at Bristol Airport
It is activated before takeoff and is supposed to stay engaged until after landing, even if manually overridden during the journey.
According to MailOnline, the report states the 737’s autothrottle disengaged when the crew selected takeoff mode.
Thrust levels were said to have fallen short of the recommended safe level by around 9% as a result. The pilots allegedly failed to notice this.
Boeing reportedly admitted a ‘long history of nuisance disconnects during takeoff mode engagements’ but insisted that in such cases, ‘usually, subsequent functionality checks on the system find no faults’.
A similar Boeing 737 jet to the one involved in the ‘serious’ incident (Picture: PA)
According to the AIIB, the manufacturer said the plane and others affected by similar issues should have their autothrottle systems upgraded.
TUI said: ‘We have worked closely with the authorities to provide all available information. The AAIB recommendations and learnings resulting from this take-off will support the whole aviation sector and other airlines.
‘The safety of our passengers and crew is always our highest priority.’
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