Air NZ 777 involved in emergency at Narita

An Air New Zealand Boeing 777-200ER with 309 passengers and crew on board was involved in a rejected takeoff from Tokyo Narita International Airport on January 31 after the pilots discovered a potential problem with the aircraft’s auto thrust controls.

The aircraft was to operate NZ90 to Auckland, and is understood to have commenced its takeoff roll on runway 34L when the pilots decided to abort takeoff after receiving a warning message about the auto thrust system. As a result of brake overheating, the aircraft’s 12 main landing gear tyres deflated, while emergency services were called on to hose down the aircraft’s brakes. There were no reports of any injuries from the incident, which closed the runway for 30 minutes.