Pira: Most Boeing aicraft are flown with autothrottle on even when manually handling
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My Boeing instructor in Seattle:-"Autothrust off first then Autopilot". Not once on Boeing's have i seen autothrust engaged on landing during a manual landing. B727,B737-2,3,400, B747-200,400. The last time i flew a Boeing was 5 years ago so maybe times have changed.
Regarding the tire damage. Likely cause is that the brake pedals were firmly on the floor and as the wheel left the ground going off the side of the runway, wheel now firmly 'locked', on touching down again the tyre was likely shredded on the point of impact.
Regarding this thread, I believe it is one of the most informative on PPRuNe. It has certainly highlighted a number of Flight Safety and human factor issues and enlightened many AB operators.
Fortunately it appears that this will not go down as a 'Pilot Error' only accident, judging by the recent demonstration and government resignation.