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A fire on a British Airways plane that led to the temporary closure of Gatwick Airport's main runway was attributed to a pilot error, according to an investigation. The incident took place on June 28, 2024, involving a British Airways Boeing 777 bound for Vancouver. During takeoff, the co-pilot mistakenly pulled back the left-hand thrust lever instead of the control column, causing a sudden reduction in engine thrust at speeds exceeding 190 mph. This resulted in an emergency stop on the runway.
The abrupt halt caused the aircraft's brakes to overheat, leading to a fire in the right main landing gear. Emergency crews responded promptly and extinguished the flames, ensuring no injuries occurred among the 347 passengers and crew aboard.
The fire led to nearly an hour-long shutdown of Gatwick’s primary runway, causing 23 flight cancellations and 16 diversions, affecting numerous travelers. The UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) identified the event as an “action slip,” where a pilot performs an incorrect action despite knowing the correct procedure. The co-pilot had recently returned from leave and was well-rested but could not explain the mistake.
