Disaster narrowly avoided on London-Athens route, crew error nearly caused tragedy

A serious incident was narrowly prevented at London Luton Airport when a Boeing 737 Max lifted off the ground just meters before the end of the runway.

A report by the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) revealed that incorrect flight data entry into the aircraft’s computer system resulted in lower engine thrust than required for the takeoff maneuver.

The incident occurred in April 2025 at Luton Airport, one of the busiest air hubs in the British capital, but details have only now been disclosed by the AAIB investigative authority.

The aircraft, operated by British charter company Ascend Airways and performing a service from London to Athens, was carrying 162 passengers, two pilots, and four cabin crew.

According to the investigation, during ground maneuvers, air traffic control offered the pilots the option to use a shorter segment of the runway for takeoff, instead of the full available length. The crew accepted this change but failed to accurately verify the update of takeoff parameters in the onboard equipment.

This negligence caused the engine thrust to be weaker than required for the shortened runway distance. Investigation data shows the maximum thrust achieved was 82.1%, while approximately 85.2% was needed for that takeoff configuration.

Consequently, the Boeing 737 Max lifted off when only 162 meters of runway remained, and at the moment of takeoff its speed was approximately 276 km/h, a value lower than what is prescribed for a safe maneuver.

The aircraft cleared the end of the runway at an altitude of less than 4 meters, while international regulations stipulate a minimum vertical distance of about 10.67 meters to ensure safe clearance over any obstacles.

Investigators emphasized that the event could have turned into a real tragedy if an engine failure had occurred during the takeoff phase, as the aircraft might not have been able to either stop within the remaining runway or gain sufficient height over obstructions.

The AAIB concluded that the cause was a procedural violation by the crew, and no technical defects were identified in the aircraft or its safety mechanisms.

The airline stressed that safety remains the absolute priority and that the operator conducting the flight bore responsibility for the pilots and adherence to operational rules. According to the statement, partners providing aircraft and crew undergo regular inspections and verifications of safety standards.