Kalitta Air 747 runway excursion in Ningbo

[menphix]

It has been reported that on Aug 7, 2023 a Kalitta Air 747 (N401KZ) had an runway excursion during landing at the Ningbo Airport in China.
Some commentators have suggested that the #1 engine suddenly spooled up after touchdown caused the aircraft to veer off to the right. Although nothing has been confirmed yet.

[treadigraph]

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/343307

[SilverSleuth]

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/343307

https://simpleflying.com/kalitta-air-boeing-747-runway-excursion-ningbo-airport-china/

be interesting to know what happened here? do the pilots have to stay in china while investigated?

[tdracer]

Educated guess is "hand error". There has been the occasional 747 incident/accident where the PF inadvertently only grabs the reverse piggyback levers on 3 engines - missing the furthest thrust lever (so left seat misses #4, right seat misses #1). As they command reverse, they accidentally nudge the other thrust lever forward and the resultant asymmetry thrust pushes them off the runway.
I'm aware of at least two previous events - coincidentally both in Korea (although only one was Korean Air). Pretty exciting ride, but no one seriously hurt.

If, indeed, it was "Uncommanded High Thrust" (UHT) due to a failure in the engine control system, it would be a very rare event (only one known UHT event on a 747-400) and the Feds will be all over it.
In fact, if it does turn out to be UHT, I may get a phone call :(

[megan]

A couple of past 747 runway excursions, both Air France, the Papeete accident required a sizable grafting on of a new nose section, carried out by Boeing if I recall. Repair complicated by sun heating one side of the aircraft causing a bend in the fuselage, things engineers have to overcome.

https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19930912-1

https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19851202-0

[421dog]

Ever been to Oscoda? (what used to be the Wordsworth bomber base) where Kalitta does his thing? (I had occasion to fly to Oscoda a couple times a month for several years)
The fact that he does what he does, with what he has, is amazing.

(stay off the south taxiway where they are are scrapping the heavy stuff that is done flying. I tried it once, and it cost me a couple of tires. Just go all the way to the East on the 15k or so B-52 runway and that’s where the fbo and the volunteer museum is)

I have two good friends who are former 747 jocks for him who can’t say enough good stuff.