British Airways 744 returns to J'Burg after take-off

[NickN]

The crew of a British Airways Boeing 747-400, registration G-BYGA performing flight BA-56 from Johannesburg (South Africa) to London Heathrow,EN (UK), decided to dump fuel and return to Johannesburg after two thrust reversers were indicated unlocked after takeoff. The airplane landed safely about 120 minutes after takeoff.

Engineers determined that the indication was false, the thrust reversers had been properly locked in closed position.

The flight was initially postponed by 23 hours and later cancelled.

New information leaked by aviation sources in South Africa on May 13th - claimed to be based on the readout of the digital flight data recorder, cockpit voice recorder as well as testimony of the flight crew - suggests, that one engine flamed out during rotation for liftoff, another engine uncommandedly rolled back to idle at the same time, two engine thrust reversers indicated unlocked and the leading edge flaps retracted. According to that information the crew levelled off at 35 feet AGL, managed to recover the idle engine and resumed the initial climb out on three engines. Subsequently the crew dumped fuel and returned to Johannesburg for a safe landing. South Africa's Civil Aviation Authority is reported to have impounded the airplane.

British Airways declined to comment pointing to the ongoing investigation by South Africa's Civil Aviation Authority and stated, that they are fully cooperating with authorities of South Africa.

South Africa's Civil Aviation Authority could not yet be reached for comment regarding the information of May 13th.

http://avherald.com/h?article=4198598d&opt=0