'Serious' software glitch meant plane taking off from Bristol barely cleared the runway

Sky News
Updated ·2-min read

A "serious" software glitch meant a plane taking off from Bristol Airport barely cleared the end of the runway.

The TUI Boeing 737-800 was departing for Gran Canaria on 4 March when issues with the auto-throttle emerged, and the incident is now being examined by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

The jet - carrying 163 passengers and six crew members, only managed to take to the sky with 260m (853ft) of runway remaining and cleared the end of the tarmac at a height of just 3m (10ft).

It then passed over the nearby A38 at a height of under 30m (100ft).

According to the AAIB, Boeing was aware of the software glitch before the incident.

A field investigation report said that the auto-throttle disengaged when take-off mode was selected. Neither pilot noticed that the thrust was set incorrectly, and it wasn't picked up through standard operating procedures.

A review of the software problems affecting the flight showed 11 faults were logged on flight to Las Palmas, though no faults were recorded during a journey to the UK a day earlier.

Boeing told investigators that the auto-throttle system on their 737 Next Generation jets had a "long history of nuisance disconnects during take-off mode engagements" - but that, when investigated, "usually, subsequent functionality checks on the system find no faults".

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A TUI UK & Ireland spokesperson told Sky News: "We have worked closely with the authorities to provide all available information.

"The AAIB recommendations and learnings resulting from this take-off will support the whole aviation sector and other airlines. The safety of our passengers and crew is always our highest priority."

The AAIB's investigation will continue "to examine all pertinent factors associated with this serious incident" and will issue a final report "in due course".

Sky News has contacted Boeing for comment.

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