LONDON - THE engines on a British Airways aircraft that crash-landed at Heathrow Airport failed to respond to a call for more power, according to findings of a preliminary enquiry released on Friday.

'At approximately 180 metres and three kilometres from touch down, the autothrottle demanded an increase in thrust from the two engines but the engines did not respond,' the report into Thursday's crash from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said.

'Following further demands for increased thrust from the autothrottle, and subsequently the flight crew moving the throttle levers, the engines similarly failed to respond.'

'The aircraft speed reduced and the aircraft descended onto the grass short of the paved runway surface.'

The AAIB added that examinations of the aircraft systems and engines were ongoing.

All 136 passengers and 16 crew on the Boeing 777 from Beijing escaped without serious injury.

Eighteen received treatment for minor injuries following the crash, which caused major disruption at one of the world's busiest airports. -- AFP