What happened
On March 11, 2017, an Airbus A340-313E, registration F-GLZU, operated by Air France, was performing a scheduled commercial passenger flight from Bogota (El Dorado Airport) to Paris CDG. The aircraft was carrying 268 passengers and 13 crew members.
During the night takeoff from runway 13R, the crew applied full takeoff thrust (TOGA) following a 50% thrust brake check. As the aircraft reached rotation speed (VR), the pilot flying initiated rotation at a point 2,760 meters from the runway threshold. The rotation rate was notably low, prompting the crew to hear the "PITCH PARR" audio warning. The main landing gear did not leave the ground until the aircraft was only 140 meters from the far end of the runway. The aircraft subsequently crossed the opposite runway threshold at an altitude of only 6 feet (radio altitude), passing just 12 feet above the ILS antennas.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted by the BEA with the involvement of GRIAA, examined the flight data and aircraft performance models. The inquiry focused on why the takeoff distance significantly exceeded the theoretical certified distance. Investigators analyzed the takeoff roll, the rotation technique employed by the crew, and the discrepancy between actual operational rotation rates and the certified performance models used for flight planning.
Findings
- The incident was caused by insufficient pitch commands from the pilot flying, which extended the takeoff distance by 424 meters compared to the certified theoretical distance including safety margins.
- There was a significant discrepancy between the rotation techniques used in actual operations and the techniques accounted for in the certified performance models.
- The rotation rate achieved during the event was lower than the 3°/s rate used in the certified performance model.
- At the time of the incident, operators had not identified this gap in performance modeling due to a lack of specific monitoring for takeoff performance and long takeoff events in flight data analysis programs.
Safety action
Following the investigation, several safety measures were implemented by Air France, Lufthansa, Airbus, and EASA. The BEA issued seven safety recommendations to EASA regarding the certification of takeoff performance, the management of risks associated with long takeoffs, and the enhancement of flight data analysis programs to monitor takeoff performance indicators.