Wed Jun 02, 2004 7:29 pm
Mr.BA
Looking closely at this photo, the #4 engine does not appear to be rotating, as the spinner seems to be stationary.
Full left rudder and full left nose-wheel steering are also being applied, which leads me to speculate that this may have been a three-engined take-off that had to be abandoned at low speed, possibly because of an inability to keep the aircraft straight during the early part of the take-off roll.
If this was the case, two possible causes for any such a loss of directional control could be, firstly, an unexpected adverse cross-wind (in this case from the right) or, secondly, applying too much power from #1 engine, too quickly, at too low an airspeed.
In the major airlines, because of the complexity of such take-offs, there are generally only a few pilots, who have undergone special simulator training, who are authorised to conduct three-engined take-offs.
Such take-offs are generally done in order to move the aircraft to a more suitable maintenance facility, where engine repairs or an engine change can be carried out, and are only performed on an empty aircraft with no passengers.
As I said, however, this is just my speculation
Regards
Bellerophon
