The following information provides an awareness of problems in the hope that they can be avoided in the future. The information is based on final reports by official investigative authorities on aircraft accidents and incidents.
Jets
Late Change Disrupted Preflight
Airbus A340-600. No damage. No injuries.
The pilot flying noticed that the A340’s acceleration was slower than it should have been for the takeoff from London Heathrow Airport, but he did not believe that it was particularly abnormal. “He described the rotation as ‘slightly sluggish and nose heavy’ and noticed that after rotation, the aircraft settled at a speed below VLS [the lowest selectable speed providing an appropriate margin above the stall speed], which prompted him to reduce the aircraft pitch attitude in order to accelerate,” said the report on the Dec. 12, 2009, incident by the U.K. Air Acciden…
