KLM 737 used whole runway for take-off after intersection data slip-up

Pilots of a KLM Boeing 737-800 did not amend a runway intersection designation when recalculating take-off performance data for Amsterdam Schiphol, leading the aircraft to accelerate too slowly and use almost the entire runway length before becoming airborne. KLM only became aware of the incident two-and-a-half months after its occurrence, by which point neither the flight-data nor cockpit-voice recorder information was available. But analysis of aircraft maintenance system data shows the jet rotated at the calculated speed of 157kt and lifted off just 176m from the far end of runway 09, crossing the threshold at 28ft. Dutch investigators have attributed the incident to operational and time pressures, with an unplanned last-minute change of runway intersection following a delayed departure from the gate. The aircraft (PH-BXG), bound for Munich on 10 June 2018, had three cockpit crew – the captain, the first officer, and a safety pilot on the observer seat – because the captain was supervising as route instructor to the first officer. To give the trainee first officer additional time for flight preparation, the captain and safety pilot took over some of the first officer’s tasks. The crew had expected a runway 36L take-off from intersection V3, but the flight was switched to runway 09. Initially the crew tried a performance calculation for an intersection N4 departure from runway 09, but the weather and aircraft weight meant this could not be achieved, and the figures were recalculated for intersection N5. As the flight queued for the runway, air traffic control asked the crew whether an N4 intersection departure was possible. Story has more.<br/>