UK: British Airways Flight Makes Emergency Landing at Heathrow After Pilots Fall Ill Mid-Air Due to 'Foul Odour' in Cockpit
A British Airways flight en route to London was forced to make an emergency landing at Heathrow Airport on Thursday, October 19, due to the captain's and co-pilot's sudden illness.
Hounslow, October 21: A British Airways flight en route to London was forced to make an emergency landing at Heathrow Airport in Hounslow, UK, on Thursday, October 19, due to the captain's and co-pilot's sudden illness. The pilot and co-pilot reportedly detected a "foul odour" in the cockpit at an altitude of 30,000 feet, subsequently falling ill and necessitating emergency oxygen masks. They promptly alerted ground emergency services, ultimately managing to safely land the aircraft at Heathrow Airport, having departed from Newcastle.
According to multiple reports, concerns arose that the pilots might have been exposed to toxic chemicals, leading to fears of potential intoxication at the controls of the aircraft. The duo was swiftly transported to the hospital for treatment, with reports suggesting they had suffered from smoke inhalation. Ambulance and fire services swiftly responded at Heathrow's Terminal 5 as the aircraft touched down, with the affected crew swiftly transported to a local hospital for further assessment. British Airways Server Down? UK Airline Cancels Dozens of Flights Over Computer Problems Ahead of Busy Holiday Weekend.
A British Airways spokesperson assured that the flight had landed securely despite encountering a minor technical issue with the aircraft, emphasising the safety of both customers and crew. According to the London Ambulance Service, two individuals were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene before being transferred to a nearby medical facility. British Airways Pilot Loses Job After Taking Cocaine off Topless Woman’s Breast Before Flying, Airline Asks Employees to Report Drug Use by Colleagues.
The flight departure from Newcastle was delayed by almost two hours, departing at 7:41 am and arriving at Heathrow at 9:14 am. Investigations into the alarming event have already commenced, shedding light on the critical nature of ensuring air travel safety. British Airways has faced previous scrutiny regarding toxic fume events, with the company promising to address any safety concerns reported by its staff.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 21, 2023 10:43 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).