BA honours Heathrow crash pilots and crew
09.07.08
The crew of a British Airways Boeing 777 jet that crash landed short of the runway at Heathrow in January have been rewarded for their skill and courage, the airline said yesterday. The three pilots and 13 cabin crew on BA flight 38 were given the BA Safety Medal for their professionalism in getting all passengers off without serious injury and averting disaster.
The jet, travelling from Beijing with 136 passengers on board, lost power from both engines over on its approach to the airport on January 17. Eighteen people were treated for minor injuries after the crash.
BA chief executive Willie Walsh said in a statement that the medal had only ever been awarded three times before and was given to mark exceptional achievement. He said: ‘The crew demonstrated incredible professionalism, first in landing the aircraft safely and then evacuating all the passengers with only a few minor injuries. The whole of British Airways is extremely proud of them.’
The pilot, Captain Peter Burkill, said it was a ‘great privilege’ to receive the medal.
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