Flight Crew Total 27000
Deviation - Speed All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Human Factors
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.
[Narrative 2 contained no additional information.]
During approach; the pilot flying disconnected the autothrottles to expedite speed reduction; and aircraft slowed undetected to below reference speed.