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LONDON - Initial investigations showed that the engines of a British Airways Boeing 777 failed to respond shortly before it crash-landed at London's Heathrow Airport on Thursday, investigators said on Friday.
Thirteen people were injured when BA flight 83 from Beijing came down well short of the southern runway and the 136 passengers were evacuated down the aircraft's emergency chutes.
"At approximately 600 ft and two miles from touch down, the Autothrottle demanded an increase in thrust from the two engines but the engines did not respond," the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said in a statement.
"Following further demands for increased thrust from the Autothrottle, and subsequently the flight crew moving the throttle levers, the engines similarly failed to respond."
The AAIB said the flight had been normal until the plane made its final approach for landing. It said 13 people were injured, one passenger suffering a serious injury.
It said the investigation would now focus on more detailed analysis of information from the flight recorder and other recorded information, and examination of "the range of aircraft systems" that could affect the engines.
Captain Peter Burkill, given a rousing reception by staff at the airline's headquarters, refused in a brief statement to reporters to make any comment on the cause of the incident.
But he praised his crew for showing "the highest standards of skill and professionalism," thanked the passengers for "their calmness and good sense" and praised the emergency services for reacting so speedily.
A team of specialists from Boeing arrived to join air accident investigators and experts from Rolls Royce, the aircraft engine manufacturers.
- REUTERS
