AINsight: Beware of Erroneous Takeoff Parameters | Aviation International News

AINsight: Beware of Erroneous Takeoff Parameters

Fat fingers and lack of situational awareness during takeoff can ruin your day

damaged Marathon Airlines Embraer ERJ-195LR operating for Air Serbia — The Marathon Airlines Embraer ERJ-195LR operating for Air Serbia was damaged due to poor assessment of takeoff parameters by the flight crew. © AIN archives

By Stuart “Kipp” Lau • Contributor - Safety

May 22, 2024

Several studies have identified the use of erroneous takeoff parameters as a safety issue. All pilots are vulnerable because the problem is not specific to any one aircraft type, region, or operator. Using erroneous takeoff parameters can result in early rotation causing a tail strike, collision with obstacles in the departure path, loss of control after takeoff, or a runway overrun.

Several recent incidents and accidents have involved intersection takeoffs, where pilots either take off from the wrong intersection or make errors while calculating takeoff performance parameters.

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The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

Stuart “Kipp” Lau

Contributor - Safety

About the author

Pilot, safety expert, consultant, and aviation journalist Stuart “Kipp” Lau writes about flight safety and airmanship for AIN.

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