Norwegian UK B789 at London on Mar 28th 2018, began takeoff from incorrect point on runway
Last Update: December 6, 2018 / 17:23:37 GMT/Zulu time
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Mar 28, 2018
Classification
Report
Airline
Norwegian Air UK
Flight number
DI-7505
Departure
London Gatwick, United Kingdom
Destination
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Aircraft Registration
G-CKWC
Aircraft Type
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
ICAO Type Designator
B789
The AAIB released their bulletin stating the crew confirmed there was "not much remaining at lift-off".
The AAIB concluded:
The aircraft began its takeoff roll from the displaced threshold of Runway 26R rather than the beginning of the runway. The crew did not identify the beginning of the runway and instead taxied the aircraft forward to the landing threshold. A combination of an unusual straight-line runway entry, a perceived lack of lighting in the pre-threshold area and the bright threshold lights ahead contributed to the crew not identifying the beginning of the runway.
From the point at which the aircraft began its takeoff roll, its performance did not meet regulatory requirements for both stopping and continuing should an engine have failed close to V1. The risks in both cases were significant to the aircraft and its occupants.
The AAIB analysed:
The crew operating G-CKWC were familiar with Gatwick Airport but had operated from Runway 26R infrequently. They did not identify the beginning of the runway and taxied forward to the landing threshold before beginning their takeoff roll. This decreased the takeoff distance available and meant that the aircraft did not meet regulated takeoff performance requirements for its actual takeoff weight.
The distance available for the takeoff would have been insufficient (based on regulations) had an aircraft engine failed before V1 and had the crew decided to stop. The actual accelerate stop distance required was 2,564 m, whereas the airfield boundary is approximately 2,250 m from the point at which G-CWKC began its takeoff roll. Runway overrun is a type of runway excursion, which is one of the CAA’s ‘Significant Seven’ risks to commercial air transport.
The distance available for takeoff was also insufficient to meet regulatory requirements for obstacle clearance should the aircraft have continued the takeoff after an engine failure at V1.
This was not the first time that an aircraft had begun its takeoff roll from the landing threshold. Gatwick reports indicated there had been at least four incidents, involving multiple operators, between September 2017 and this incident involving G-CKWC. Failure of crews to identify the start of Runway 26R, especially at night, presents Gatwick with a potentially significant hazard to operations. The airport, aware of the risk, put in place several actions to improve the awareness of crews about the location of the beginning of the runway. They also committed to repainting the markings before the landing threshold.
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Mar 28, 2018
Classification
Report
Airline
Norwegian Air UK
Flight number
DI-7505
Departure
London Gatwick, United Kingdom
Destination
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Aircraft Registration
G-CKWC
Aircraft Type
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
ICAO Type Designator
B789
This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
Article source
You can read 2 more free articles without a subscription.
Subscribe now and continue reading without any limits!
Read unlimited articles and receive our daily update briefing. Gain better insights into what is happening in commercial aviation safety.
Send tip
Support AeroInside by sending a small tip amount.
Newest articles
Fleet type match
Iraqi B738 at Tehran on May 1st 2024, landed on closed runway
An Iraqi Airways Boeing 737-800, registration YI-ASI performing flight IA-113 from Najaf (Iraq) to Tehran Imam Khomeini (Iran), was cleared to land…
SJL E135 at Lubumbashi on Mar 3rd 2023, runway overrun on landing
A SJL Aeronautica Embraer ERJ-135, registration D2-FIA performing a flight from Kinshasa to Lubumbashi (DR Congo) with 33 people on board, landed on…
Subscribe today
Are you researching aviation incidents? Get access to AeroInside Insights, unlimited read access and receive the daily newsletter.
Pick your plan and subscribePartner
A new way to document and demonstrate airworthiness compliance and aircraft value. Find out more.
ELITE Simulation Solutions is a leading global provider of Flight Simulation Training Devices, IFR training software as well as flight controls and related services. Find out more.
Your regulation partner, specialists in aviation safety and compliance; providing training, auditing, and consultancy services. Find out more.
AeroInside Blog
Popular aircraft
Airbus A320Boeing 737-800
Boeing 737-800 MAX
Popular airlines
American AirlinesUnited
Delta
Air Canada
Lufthansa
British Airways