October 16th 1987 aircraft engine malfunction

[jimmydash]

I was on a BA flight from Heathrow to Glasgow when an engine failed on take off. The pilot slammed on the brakes and we were all fine. We were all put on a bus to Gatwick and flew home from there. Where would I find a record of that on the internet - I've looked but failed to find any record.

[Eric Mc]

What type of aircraft were you on?
What was the destination airport?

The CAA does keep accident records on file - even minor ones such as abandoned take offs.

[anonymous-user]

Apropos of nothing, that is the day my youngest brother was born.

[Eric Mc]

Is it not the day of the Great Hurricane as well?

[jimmydash]

Day after! We were taken past the massive destruction of trees etc. That’s why it’s so memorable. My daughter thinks I’m pulling her leg.

[ianrb]

I remember flying out of Heathrow on that day too. It's the only time I can remember using one of the short diagonal runways (all of which have gone now). At the time I assumed this was weather related, but now I'm wondering if it was due to any earlier incident.

[Eric Mc]

The winds were probably picking up as the day went on. The short diagonal runway at Heathrow (by 1987 there was only one in use) was only suitable for smaller aircraft such as Shorts 360s or Fokker F-27s. It could be used by larger aircraft (BAC 1-11s, 737s, DC-9s etc) if the wind was strong and directly aligned with the short runway.

Gatwick only has one main runway (a parallel taxiway can be used as a temporary runway when the main runway is closed) - so I was wondering if the Gatwick take-off abort was wind related.

The OP hasn't answered my original question about the destination and type of aircraft.

[jimmydash]

1 11 GLW

[Eric Mc]

Glasgow?

[jimmydash]

Yes