Description

On 16 September 2019, an Airbus A320 (G-EZWE) being operated by EasyJet on a scheduled international passenger flight from Lisbon to Manchester only became airborne 110 metres before the end of the 3705 metre-long runway 21 at Lisbon during its night takeoff in normal visibility. The remainder of the flight was without further event.

A CCTV screenshot showing the aircraft just after reaching V1. The row of red runway end lights is visible to the right of the aircraft (in the yellow circle). [Reproduced from the Official Report]

Investigation

The Investigation as delegated by the Gabinete de Prevenção e Investigação de Acidentes com Aeronaves e de Acidentes Ferroviários (GPIAAF) to the UK AAIB who then carried out a Field Investigation into this Serious Incident. By the time the AAIB became aware of the event relevant CVR data had been overwritten and the FDR was not downloaded as the aircraft operator provided equivalent data from the QAR. CCTV recordings of the takeoff were also obtained.

It was noted that the 57 year-old Captain, who had been PF for the flight involved, had approximately 16,000 hours flying experience of which approximately 8000 hours were on type. Corresponding details for the First Officer were not given.