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

Bookmark this article
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

A Norwegian Air UK Boeing 787-9, registration G-CKWC performing flight DI-7505 from London Gatwick,EN (UK) to Buenos Aires,BA (Argentina) with 260 passengers and 10 crew, was preparing for departure when they noticed they were about to depart 5 minutes prior to the closure of the main runway 26L. Therefore the crew began to plan for a departure from the standby runway 26R. The aircraft taxied to holding point P1 for a departure from standby runway 26R and was given conditional line up clearance to line up behind a landing A320. The aircraft taxied via taxiway P and AN into position. After receiving takeoff clearance the tower controller noted that the aircraft did not begin to accelerate until passing the displaced landing threshold of the runway 417 meters down the runway, consequently the aircraft rotated and became airborne very late. The aircraft continued to Buenos Aires without further incident, the tower controller filed a report.

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!

Subscribe now
Are you a subscriber? Login
Subscribe

Read unlimited articles and receive our daily update briefing. Gain better insights into what is happening in commercial aviation safety.

Compare our plans

Send tip

Support AeroInside by sending a small tip amount.

Send tip

Newest articles

Subscribe today

Are you researching aviation incidents? Get access to AeroInside Insights, unlimited read access and receive the daily newsletter.

Pick your plan and subscribe

Partner

ELITE Logo

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.

SafetyScan Pro

SafetyScan Pro provides streamlined access to thousands of aviation accident reports. Tailored for your safety management efforts. Book your demo today

AeroInside Blog
Popular aircraft
Airbus A320
Boeing 737-800
Boeing 737-800 MAX
Popular airlines
American Airlines
United
Delta
Air Canada
Lufthansa
British Airways