The Heathrow Enigma (British Airways Flight 38)

Overview

On 17 January 2008, British Airways Flight 38 is on its final approach to land, when the autothrottles command increased thrust from the engines. The engines do not respond to the control inputs and remain at idle. The captain raises one notch of flaps to give the aircraft a few more feet of flying distance; it crash-lands just short of the runway without causing any fatalities. The fuel flow to both engines was restricted because of ice crystals causing a blockage in the fuel-oil heat exchangers.

Guest Stars

Frank Chiesurin

Captain Burkill

Grahame Wood

First Officer Coward

Robert Bennett

Brian McDermid

Marty Moreau

Phil Sleight

Timm Zemanek

Nick Harris