Thrust reversers can never be deployed while airborne. This engine shutdown system is only enable on the ground. It's designed to shutdown an engine if the engine thrust doesn't match the commanded thrust, so an engine malfunction on the ground cannot cause the plane to taxi out of control.
But it is still possible for the pilots to deploy reverse thrust too soon, after touchdown but before there there is enough weight on the wheels to provide sufficient steering. I'm guessing the pilots deployed too soon, and discovered a new corner case.
Definitely you can use thrust reversers before touchdown at least on B737.
I wonder how big is a difference between software on B737 and B787. Aviation industry doesn't have tendency to build software from scratch.
Here is example video: https://youtu.be/-RO66a_nvus
Hey, thanks for this video. I was on a flight that did that some years ago when I was doing a lot of traveling. I don't remember anymore where exactly in Europe it was, but no one I later talked to believed me that the pilot would engage thrust reverser before touchdown.
Maybe the 787 won't allow airborne use, but other aircraft allow it. It's useful for steep descent. If the feature were more common, obstructions near airports (like mountains) would be less of an issue. We could build new runways at some airports.
But it is still possible for the pilots to deploy reverse thrust too soon, after touchdown but before there there is enough weight on the wheels to provide sufficient steering. I'm guessing the pilots deployed too soon, and discovered a new corner case.