BA crew praised after emergency landing at Heathrow

Thursday, 28 May, 2013 0

The crew on board a British Airways flight have been praised for their "efficiency and professionalism" following an emergency landing on Friday.

Unite the union said the flight to Oslo, with 80 passengers on board, was forced to return to Heathrow with flames and thick black smoke pouring from the right hand engine.

It said passengers praised the three crew members who helped evacuate them safely from the aircraft.

The only injury was a suspected broken wrist.

Unite regional officer Matt Smith said: "This incident highlights why the experience and training of BA cabin crew should never be underestimated and is at the forefront of aviation safety.

"Once again Unite can be very proud of its members in BA cabin crew who can always be relied on."

Unite national officer for civil aviation Oliver Richardson added: "On a daily basis cabin crew in the UK work as safety professionals, achieving the highest possible standards for colleagues and passengers."

Flight BA762, an Airbus 319, was forced to make an emergency landing after technical problems just after take-off (see earlier story).

The plane was seen flying over central London with smoke bellowing out.

An investigation is underway by the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch to find the cause of the problems.

by Bev Fearis

Bev

Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.