Aeroplane cleared runway just 4m above ground

A passenger aircraft was just 4m (13ft) above the ground when it cleared the runway during a take-off last year.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said the Boeing 737-800 had begun its departure from the incorrect place on the London Luton Airport runway on 22 April 2025.

As part of an update published a year after the incident, the watchdog said its investigation was still ongoing.

The aircraft, operated by Bishop's Stortford-based Ascend Airways, became airborne just 200m (656ft) from the end of the runway.

Investigators have found pilots had calculated their take-off power thinking they had the full length of the runway.

Ascend Airways has been approached for comment.

The AAIB said: "The investigation into this event is ongoing and a final report will be issued in due course."

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