The B757 was operated by British Airways Open Sky subsidiery. Two management pilots, one a TRE, attempted take off with wrong flap setting - Only set Flap 1.
This is the company Statement:
Dear colleagues,
As many of you are already aware, one of our 757s experienced a high speed rejected takeoff on Monday 20
th September at Orly airport.
There is much speculation, rumor and inaccuracies circulating regarding this event. There have been general and personal comments on external social media websites made by OpenSkies employees. Much of these comments are grossly inaccurate and may do immeasurable damage to the reputation and commercial viability of the company. It is important that we communicate to you by way of this memo as many of the facts of the incident.
The Facts:
• The flight was dispatched normally.
• During the takeoff roll the crew observed an inconsistency between what was seen on one of their instruments and what they expected to see.
• The crew decided that the safe course of action was to discontinue the takeoff. The crew performed a high speed rejected takeoff and taxied clear of the runway.
• There was no emergency evacuation and there were no injuries to the passengers or crew.
• Emergency services were advised of the RTO by ATC and they responded as a
precautionary measure.
• The aircraft suffered minor damage to tires and wheels consistent with a high speed RTO.
• Following an aircraft change, the flight was dispatched uneventfully to Newark.
OpenSkies is carrying out an investigation into this incident in accordance with company procedures to see what if any, Human Factors were involved and for us to make recommendations to prevent recurrence.
Thank you very much for your attention,
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What the memo doesnt say is that the crew advised the pax and cabin crew that they had a minor problem on take off leading to the abort. It was only when ATC advised the crew of heavy smoke from gear while they waited to make a second take off that six tires deflated (fuse plugs) and the fire service poured water over the heavily smoking wheels.
The pilots are suspended and the cabin crew put on another aircraft and operated to Newark seven hours later (?)
It is incredable that only last week a post is on Terms and Endearment about the problems in Open Skies.. Coincidence !!
NT II