Coroner investigating pilot death warns of toxic fumes
A coroner has submitted a report about toxic fumes in plane cabins to the CAA following an investigation into the death of a British Airways pilot.
Sheriff Stanhope Payne, the senior coroner for Dorset, claims that those who are regularly exposed to fumes in planes face ‘consequential damage to their health’.
It follows a report into the death of co-pilot Richard Westgate, who died aged 43 in December 2012.
His family are convinced that he was the victim of ‘aerotoxic syndrome’ and therefore poisoned to death by toxic fumes from plane cabins, reports the Daily Mail.
Mr Payne, who is due to open the inquest into Mr Westgate’s death within the next two months, said that examinations of Mr Westgate’s body ‘disclosed symptoms consistent with exposure to organophosphate compounds in aircraft cabin air’.
He has written to BA and the CAA to warn them that ‘there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken’ and asked for responses.
A spokesman for the CAA confirmed it had received the report and said it ‘will review in detail and respond to the coroner accordingly’.
Diane
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season