Originally Posted by
Timbo
I don't think it works like that on Fifi, their chief test pilot flew it right into the woods, while trying to go around. At least on the 777, you CAN push the thrust levers up, and the engines WILL spool up.
But YOU have to push them up.
I guess nobody told the Asiana guys that, seems they were waiting for the airplane to do it for them.
The test pilot was trying to trigger "alpha floor" protection which takes the engines to TOGA automatically. His plan was to use it as a neat way of demoing the airplane and sending it into a go-around. He drifted below 100 feet, and just like on the 777, the protections are inhibited there.
He realized too late the protection wasn't going to kick in, threw the thrust levers up to TOGA, and the engines spooled on command- right as they were hitting the trees. You can hear it in the audio in the video. Just like on the 777, if you push the thrust levers up, they will spool and go to TOGA. It doesn't help much if your momentum is already taking you into a sea wall or trees (respectively).
He initially lied and said the airplane wouldn't let him go around... which was a lie. It later came out that he didn't understand or know of the alpha floor protection inhibit below 100 RA.