IMPATIENT PILOT? 😯

UPDATE!

As far as I’m aware, this was NOT an ATC related situation: it appears the MAS pilot(s) maybe didn’t expect the BA jet to hold for so long? just bad timing for the roll-on 🤷🏼‍♂️

Of course, we often see two aircraft on the same runway when the lead aircraft is departing from an intersection point, but to line-up this close (behind) is unusual. You can even see the smoke blast from the engines as I zoom 😯

Even small engines like the CFM56, V2500 (in this case with the BA Jet) or even the CF34 can inflict some serious damage from takeoff thrust.

Engines and sensors are at most risk for the trailing aircraft. It’s almost as bad as sand-blasting with tiny particles of rubber and grit. In my view they’re lucky one of the Speed or altitude sensors didn’t get blocked!

One (member) A220pilot said he’d be concerned about damage to his sensors from the Jet blast if he was that close 🚀

This is something never witnessed before. We’ve seen a few close ones ‘rolling-in’ as the lead aircraft is starting its takeoff run. All the other departures are more ‘timed’ by the pilots, with ATC synchronising the whole thing like a well-timed movement.

Get involved in the comments 👍🏻

[thirstofficer]

Clearly less than a second behind at the DRS detection point.

[phil_nicholls]

Wow! I’ve operated out of LHR for nearly 30 years, and have never seen anyone get this close on a runway. Taxiway, yes - but not on a runway behind an aircraft about to set T/O power. What were these guys thinking? Truly bonkers!

FOD issues aside, engines do not like ingesting fumes, and there are a number of systems that also do not like being treated to such a blast. On my own aircraft (787) even getting too close while taxiing can trigger our windshear warning systems - for which we then have to delay take off until the system resets!

I hate pointing the finger at fellow professionals, particularly as I have a soft spot for Malaysia as my wife is from there, but these guys really should have behaved better. What on earth was the Captain doing? And yes, I blame the Captain, as he/she has ultimate responsibility - it takes nothing to just step on the brakes for a few seconds and let the preceding aircraft get out of the way.

We all sneak on around A1/2/3 when cleared, but we don’t put ourselves directly behind the aircraft in front until they’re much further down the runway and the jet efflux is no longer a consideration.

Now that you’ve highlighted it, I fully expect these guys to get invited into the office back in KL for tea with no biscuits, or maybe no tea, no biscuits!

[roestamfadzilyfattawi]

Minimum Runway Occupancy Time (MROT)
| Ensure standard MROT procedures. Refer to RAR and in addition:
When receiving a conditional line-up CLR on a preceding DEP ACFT, remain behind the subject AFT but may cross WY HLDG point (subject to there being no illuminated red stop bar) and enter WY upon receipt CLR. There is no requirement for the subject AFT to have commenced its TKOF roll before entering RWY. Be aware of the blast hazard.
When receiving a conditional line-up CLR on a preceding ARR ACFT, may cross WY HLDG point (subject to there being no illuminated red stop bar) as soon as the LDG ACFT has passed RWY entry point.
If back-track WY is required, notify ATC prior to arrival at HLDG point.
Intersection TKOF
INT TKOF RWY 27R: A4, RWY 27L: N3 and S3, WY 09R: N8 and N10 are NOT (for purpose of vortex wake) considered by ATC to be INT DEP.
INT TKOF RWY 09L with A10E not AVBL HN.

[thirstofficer]

In a face-to-face view, we could have seen them aggressively flashing the landing lights too.

[zdenekanyz]

Procedure described in London manual for peak hours. You are requested to line up behind departing aircraft without delay to be ready for departure. London is operated on reduced traffic separation and sharp timing and no delays from flight crew is requested. Normally what we do is line up behind the departing traffic immediately they start to roll. This one is little bit closer than usual and also is question to be exposed to direct jet wash... but if the runway is not contaminated I don't see any significant threat.

[cavok]

Always wondered what an A350 trailer would look like? Now I know! I bet the MAS airspeed indicators where showing some airspeed when the BA throttled up

[dragonage]

In Malaysia, if someone dawdles in the fast lane on the highway, impatient people would tailgate close enough to swap paint

[hanz_dawn]

Actually I've experienced "speedy" pilot from KUL (Kuala Lumpur) to KCH (Kuching) due to rain and delayed flight, so I'm not surprised seeing an A350 was this close to the B.A at runway. 😅

[daryltan]

as an atc, i absolutely love this. too many times we see pilots waste precious departure gaps when they take an absolute age to line up when i give a lineup clearance. get in position and be ready to go!!

[Maplelf]

I was on a BA 772 at EGLL and when lining up I thought we were really close to the aircraft taking off ahead but seems to be common practice when it’s busy.

[kevin]

Wow. This is the 1st time that I see a Malaysia airlines is line up on the same runway and it's too close to British airways that is about to takeoff. Amazing.

[carlhanlon]

Pity no one was tuned in to the tower at the time. The normal clearance from the ATC is “to line up and wait behind the departing aircraft behind”. The emphasis is on the word “behind” and the pilot has to say “behind” which is a legal statement at the end of his readback. So once he’s been cleared onto the runway then it’s up to him on how close to the one in front he wants to be. LGW do this very regularly but the 2 runway entries are further apart so this incursion never really happens.

[colinboneham]

Any closer and the front jet will be asking if the rear jet has protection on…… haha lol

[fexryourfriend]

As a Malaysian I feel honored that the plane is Malaysian

[FerrariFRacer]

I remember one of my departure from LHR out of 09R where my plane lined up simultaneously with two other planes, therefore 3 lineups at the same time on the same runway. But there was much more spacing in between us compared to this

[Witchaven]

Used to travel through LHR frequently 15-20 years ago and saw this happen often enough back then, so nothing new. Q larger a/c behind smaller ones on the rwy during peak operations. If I recall correctly they even had an extended pre-section of rwy that appeared to be there for this very reason. Although the spacing here does seem a little closer than I recall.

[steffan]

Makes you wonder if they were given clearance to line up behind and wait for the departing BA 320.
Would love to listen to the ATC audio of this.

[BSkipper]

It’s mentioned in the airport info pages. All legal.

[ruelmeen]

Minimum Runway Occupancy Time (MROT)

When receiving a conditional line-up CLR on a preceding DEP ACFT, remain behind the subject ACFT but may cross RWY HLDG point and enter RWY upon receipt CLR.

There is no requirement for the subject ACFT to have commenced its TKOF roll before entering RWY. Be aware of blast hazard.

Bigjet tv please highlight this comment. Thanks

[manualflight]

I have witnessed this before in Toronto. Two Air Canada lined up to Runway 23. 787 behind an A320.