Intersection Takeoff Leaves No Margins

The following information provides an awareness of problems that might be avoided in the future. The information is based on final reports by official investigative authorities on aircraft accidents and incidents.

Jets

Commander ‘Overruled’ Copilot

Boeing 777-300. No damage. No injuries.

While preparing for a flight to Mumbai, India, the evening of Aug. 30, 2016, both pilots completed performance calculations for takeoff from London Heathrow Airport’s Runway 27L. The commander’s calculations were based on using the full length of the runway. The copilot assumed that, due to taxiway closures, the takeoff would be initiated from an intersection. She found that a departure from the first available intersection could…