Boeing narrowly avoids disaster as plane struggles to take off due to software error

The incident involving a fifteen-year-old Boeing 737-800 took place on March 4, but it only became known on Friday. The aircraft, bound for Gran Canaria, Spain, only left the ground 260 meters from the end of the 1.9-kilometer-long runway. This meant that the pilots had just three seconds to get the plane airborne. They passed a highway behind the airport at less than 30 meters. The plane was carrying 163 passengers and 9 crew members.

The cause of the near-disaster was a software error in the 737’s automatic throttle control system. Instead of delivering the required 92.8 percent power for takeoff, the system only provided 84.5 percent. The pilots were unaware of this issue as they relied on the automatic system. The UK Department for Transport’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is investigating the incident and deeming it “serious.” The investigation revealed multiple malfunctions during the flight related to the automatic throttle system.

Boeing has acknowledged that the automatic system has a history of nuisance shutdowns during takeoff. They are recommending the installation of a new version of the system and associated software. Boeing has faced a series of accidents and incidents in recent years, including the crashes of two Max-737 aircraft in Indonesia and Ethiopia, resulting in the deaths of 346 people. The company is still dealing with legal procedures and financial consequences from those disasters.

In addition to the recent incident, Boeing has experienced other mishaps, such as a panel blowing off an Alaska Airlines 737 due to a production error, landing gear collapses, engine fires, emergency slide failures, and landing gear malfunctions on various aircraft. Despite these challenges, Boeing continues to work on improving its safety systems and addressing issues as they arise.