Narrative:

I was flying the airplane on final approach; and approach control told us to maintain 180 knots to 5 DME and contact tower. As soon as we contacted the tower; we were asked our airspeed; and replied 180 knots. Then tower asked the airplane ahead for their airspeed; which was 140 knots; and at that point the tower told us to slow to approach speed. I looked on TCAS and noticed the airplane ahead to be fairly close; and I knew that we had to slow quickly. I disconnected the autothrottles and pulled power to idle; and as we slowed final flaps were set at 30 degrees. The auto-pilot was engaged on the localizer and glide slope. I had forgotten that I had disconnected the autothrottles; and then noticed that the airspeed indicator was flashing because the airspeed was too slow. I pushed the power up and the stick shaker burbled momentarily; and the speed recovered quickly. What a disappointment to me that I allowed this to happen. One thing that I pride myself for is my respect for airspeed; and I have always paid particular attention to the airspeed on approach and landing. What I did wrong is that I may not have mentioned to the other pilots that I had disconnected the auto-throttles. What I also did wrong is that I left my normal pattern of flying an approach: I never disconnect the autothrottles before I disconnect the auto-pilot; but I did this time. By leaving an established habit pattern caused me to forget what I had done. I will remember this.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: During approach; the pilot flying disconnected the autothrottles to expedite speed reduction; and aircraft slowed undetected to below reference speed.

Narrative: I was flying the airplane on final approach; and Approach Control told us to maintain 180 knots to 5 DME and contact Tower. As soon as we contacted the Tower; we were asked our airspeed; and replied 180 knots. Then Tower asked the airplane ahead for their airspeed; which was 140 knots; and at that point the Tower told us to slow to approach speed. I looked on TCAS and noticed the airplane ahead to be fairly close; and I knew that we had to slow quickly. I disconnected the autothrottles and pulled power to idle; and as we slowed final flaps were set at 30 degrees. The auto-pilot was engaged on the localizer and glide slope. I had forgotten that I had disconnected the autothrottles; and then noticed that the airspeed indicator was flashing because the airspeed was too slow. I pushed the power up and the stick shaker burbled momentarily; and the speed recovered quickly. What a disappointment to me that I allowed this to happen. One thing that I pride myself for is my respect for airspeed; and I have always paid particular attention to the airspeed on approach and landing. What I did wrong is that I may not have mentioned to the other pilots that I had disconnected the auto-throttles. What I also did wrong is that I left my normal pattern of flying an approach: I never disconnect the autothrottles before I disconnect the auto-pilot; but I did this time. By leaving an established habit pattern caused me to forget what I had done. I will remember this.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.