Ice in fuel system 'caused Heathrow crash'

Urgent measures to stop ice forming in the fuel tanks of passenger jets were recommended today by investigators into January's near disaster at Heathrow.

More than 150 passengers and crew escaped with their lives after the BA flight from Beijing lost power and crash landed short of the runway but did not catch fire.

Today's interim report from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch says ice restricting the flow of fuel to the Boeing 777's two engines was the "most probable" cause of the crash.

It made three recommendations to reduce the risk of a similar accident happening again.

The report urged American and European aviation agencies to work with Boeing and engine maker Rolls-Royce to introduce "interim measures" to reduce the risk of a potentially dangerous build up of ice happening again.

It also recommended that the implications for other planes types are considered and that safety certification is reviewed to ensure engines and fuel systems "are tolerant to the potential build up and sudden release of ice in the fuel feed system."

Around 220 Boeing 777 in service are powered by the same Rolls-Royce Trent 800 engines involved in the crash, about a third of the total global fleet.