AAIB investigation to Boeing 777-236, G-VIIT
Inadvertent thrust reduction during the takeoff roll, London Gatwick Airport, 28 June 2024
During takeoff, the co-pilot began retarding the thrust levers at airspeed V1, instead of removing his hand from them. After momentarily advancing them again, he initiated the rejected takeoff (RTO) procedure around 2 KIAS later. The RTO was performed effectively and the aircraft stopped some distance before the end of the runway surface.
The report considers the complex nature of the takeoff roll and why mental rehearsal of motor actions may benefit pilots, particularly after time off from flying. It discusses the industry-wide challenge of preventing action slips. This operator had already published a methodical approach to control selections, which it has promoted in pre-flight briefing material. It has included the wider issue of ‘focus’ in its recurrent simulator training.
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