What happened
On 10 January 2001, a Boeing 747-400, registration JA 8071, was performing a scheduled public transport flight from London Heathrow to Kansai Airport, Japan. During the takeoff roll on Runway 09R, the crew experienced a loud bang and significant vibration after passing V1 speed but prior to rotation. The takeoff was continued, and once the landing gear was retracted, the crew identified an EICAS message indicating zero pressure in the right forward tyre of the left body gear.
Following the incident, the crew requested a runway inspection via Heathrow ATC. While the runway was subsequently closed for inspection, the crew received no follow-up information regarding the findings. The flight proceeded to Japan without further complications. Upon arrival, a detailed inspection of the aircraft revealed substantial damage, including a large metallic fragment from a runway light fitting embedded in the lower fuselage, damage to the APU duct, and various dents to the cargo door skin and hydraulic lines. The incident involved two damaged tyres and significant structural impact.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the source of the debris and the effectiveness of the airfield inspection. Examination of the damaged tyre by the manufacturer revealed that a foreign object, roughly 17 cm long, had penetrated 12 of the 18 tyre plies.
An inspection of Runway 09R by the Airfield Operation Safety Unit (AOSU) identified that a flush-mounted green turn-off light fitting and its seating ring were missing from the runway surface. Debris from the disintegrated fitting, along with tyre fragments, was recovered from the site. The investigation also looked into the communication chain between the AOSU, ATC, and the flight crew.
Findings
- A runway light fitting had become dislodged from the runway surface, leaving a hole and creating debris.
- The aircraft struck the missing light fitting and its associated components during the takeoff roll.
- There was a breakdown in communication; while the AOSU identified the missing light and repaired the runway, the specific details regarding the debris and the nature of the failure were not communicated back to the flight crew.
- The AOSU's initial inspection focused on runway serviceability rather than investigating the potential for other failed fittings or the presence of debris.