European and U.S. regulators have agreed to mandate “aircraft level” action for Rolls-Royce Trent 800-powered Boeing 777s and are considering potential action for other certified aircraft/engine combinations. This follows recommendations in an interim UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) report published Thursday into the British Airways 777 accident at London Heathrow Airport in January.
The 777 lost power during final approach and made a forced landing about 1,000 feet short of the runway after ice that formed in the fuel system restricted fuel flow to the engines. Although the exact mechanism remains unknown, the AAIB said, “ice could cause a restriction in the fuel feed system” and that the risk of recurrence should be addressed in the short term while investigation continues. “Further testing will be carried out to establish more clearly how ice forms within the fuel system and how it might cause the restricted fuel flows seen on this flight,” it continued.
