Perhaps learning a lesson from the Toyota fiasco, the Federal Aviation Administration is trying to solve a potential problem before it causes an accident or kills anyone: It has ordered the installation of new software on Boeing 777s to make sure that the jets aren’t “over-running” runways. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703734504575125890262354822.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_business
The Wall Street Journal reported that Wednesday the FAA had issued a safety directive that could impact more than 800 planes. The order aims to solve an issue that comes up when any autopilot system is accidentally left on while a 777 is moving down a runway before it takes off.
If a pilot tries to take off with the autopilot on, he or she will face resistance and in most likelihood will abort the takeoff, even though the plane is traveling on the runway at a fast speed.
The FAA issued the directive following two incidents in January when pilots accidentally turned on the autopilot before beginning their takeoffs. When the pilots felt resistance from their controls as they attempted to take off, they aborted their attempts to leave the ground. And, luckily, they did not overshoot their runways.
There have been nine similar incidents since 1995, according to The Journal.
Boeing defended its 777s, saying that the aircraft has made more than 4.8 million flights without any accidents due to the autopilot issue.
The FAA wants airlines to comply with its directive within 90 days of it becoming final.