Investigation Summary
The aircraft was operating with the #2 (right) engine thrust reverser pinned closed (deactivated) in accordance with the Minimum Equipment List (MEL). Under a new Airbus procedure, pilots were instructed to retard both levers to idle during landing regardless of reverser status. However, the crew utilized an older technique where they left the deactivated engine's lever in the 'climb' or 'forward' position while applying reverse on the active engine. This resulted in the right engine accelerating to high power as the autothrottle disconnected, creating a massive thrust asymmetry. The wet runway surface and the lack of grooving (EMAS or deep drainage) at the time further reduced braking effectiveness.
Final Conclusions
The primary cause was the improper positioning of the thrust levers during landing, leading to asymmetrical thrust. Contributing factors included a lack of clear communication regarding the change in Airbus procedures for deactivated reversers, the challenging conditions of the Congonhas runway, and the high-stress environment of landing a heavy aircraft on a short, wet strip.
Video Analysis
TAM Airlines Flight 3054 Runway Overrun at Congonhas Airport — An analysis of the 2007 Airbus A320 crash in São Paulo caused by asymmetrical thrust settings on a wet runway. The video examines the deactivated thrust reverser and crew error during the landing roll.
Watch on YouTube ↗If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Systems & Failure Modes
Thrust Reverser
A system used to redirect engine exhaust forward to assist in deceleration; the right unit was deactivated per MEL.
Autothrottle (A/THR)
Disconnected automatically upon touchdown when the left lever was moved to reverse, leaving the right engine at the last commanded power setting.
Ground Spoilers
Aerodynamic brakes that failed to deploy because the system logic required both thrust levers to be at or near idle.
Interesting Facts
- 01The accident resulted in 199 total fatalities: 187 on board and 12 on the ground.
- 02The aircraft's right thrust reverser had been deactivated for several days prior to the crash.
- 03Congonhas Airport's runway had been recently resurfaced but lacked 'grooving' to drain water.
- 04The flight crew consisted of two highly experienced captains, one acting as a check airman.
- 05The A320's flight computers did not automatically retard the engine to idle because the logic required manual pilot input.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Runway Grooving and Safety Areas
Congonhas Airport implemented mandatory runway grooving and established strict weight limits for landing on wet runways.
Airbus Logic Update
Airbus modified the flight warning system to provide a repetitive 'RETARD' aural alert if one lever is in reverse and the other is not at idle.
MEL Procedure Standardization
Procedures for operating with deactivated reversers were standardized to require both levers be moved to the idle position to ensure spoiler deployment.