Asiana pilots did right
Maybe I better make it short.
When they, cp especially, watched PAPI 3 reds and 1 white, he already knew the flight too low, which was at 500 feet, 34 secs before collision.
(Do I need to explain what PAPI is and what 3R1W means?)
He engaged the autothrottle ON and put the throttle lever back fully in order to gain the thrust. Then NO power increase at engine.
After GA engaged, the engine power revived, which was about 3 secs before collision.
We have to notice that what pilots say - they tried to regain engine power for 20 secs.
What missing from NTSB report is that the pilots were dumb for 20 seconds. However I could see that engine were dumb for 20 secs.
This is quite similiar case with crash at Heathrow airport 2008.
Similarities
- After engage autothrottle for the landing, engine went idle.
- throttle lever didnt help to gain thrust
- Crash just before runaway
Differences
- BA pilot called Mayday
- Asiana pilots tried to gain speed and altitude but no call
- Engine makers
When BA038 accident took place, initially the autothrottle function was suspected but concluded engine fuelling issue.