On January 17, 2008, at 1243 hours, a British Airways Boeing 777-236ER landed short of Runway 27L at London Heathrow Airport. Work has continued on all fronts to identify why neither engine responded to throttle lever inputs during the final approach, according to the NTSB.

While the aircraft was stabilized on approach with the autopilot engaged, the autothrust system commanded an increase in thrust from both engines. Both engines initially responded, but after about 3 seconds, the right engine’s thrust decreased. Some eight seconds later, the thrust on the left engine was reduced to a similar level. The engines did not shut down; both continued to produce thrust at an engine speed above flight idle but below the commanded thrust.

Recorded data indicate that an adequate fuel quantity was on board the aircraft and that the autothrottle and engine control commands performed as expected before and after the thrust reduction.

All possible scenarios that could explain the thrust reduction and the engines’ continued lack of response to throttle lever inputs are being examined. This work includes a detailed analysis and examination of the complete fuel flow path from the aircraft tanks to the engine fuel nozzles.