Surviving Against All Odds: The Miraculous Story of British Airways Flight 5390

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Hello, aviation enthusiasts! Today, we're going to talk about British Airways Flight 5390, an incident that has become a legend in aviation history. Get ready to buckle up and hear an incredible story of courage, professionalism, and sheer luck.

Gif by Guerra on eksiseyler.com

On June 10, 1990, British Airways Flight 5390 was a scheduled passenger flight from Birmingham, England, to Malaga, Spain. The flight was operated by a BAC One-Eleven aircraft, carrying 81 passengers and 6 crew members. The captain of the flight was Tim Lancaster, a highly experienced pilot with more than 11,000 flight hours.

Photo by Peter Kesternich on Jet Photos

As the flight climbed to its cruising altitude of 17.000 feet, a loud bang was heard, and the cockpit windshield shattered, causing rapid decompression. The captain, who was sitting in the left-hand seat, was sucked out of the window, and his entire upper body was exposed to the outside air.

BA crew saved pilot Tim Lancaster from being sucked out of the cockpit. Photo by nzherald.co.nz

The co-pilot, Alastair Atchison, immediately took control of the aircraft and radioed for help. He struggled to keep the plane steady while holding onto his captain's legs, which were still inside the cockpit. The cabin crew quickly came to Atchison's aid and managed to pull the captain back into the cockpit, despite the wind blast and extreme cold.

Photo by History Photographed on Twitter

Amazingly, Captain Lancaster was still conscious and able to assist in the landing of the aircraft. He suffered several injuries, including frostbite, bruising, and fractures, but he survived the ordeal thanks to his own courage and the quick actions of his crew.

BA crew saved pilot Tim Lancaster from being sucked out of the cockpit. Photo by nzherald.co.nz

The cause of the incident was later determined to be a faulty windshield fitting that had been replaced incorrectly during maintenance. The incident had a significant impact on the aviation industry, leading to improvements in training, maintenance, and cockpit security measures.

Comparison of screws used in the G-BJRT windscreen (Left to right: correct size, new; small size, new; correct size, old) Air Accidents Investigation Branch, Department for Transport, UK 

Today, Captain Tim Lancaster is regarded as a hero, and the crew of Flight 5390 is celebrated for their bravery and quick thinking in the face of extreme adversity.

British Airways Flight 5390 Pilot Emergency (1990)

So next time you're on a flight, remember the incredible story of British Airways Flight 5390, and the courageous crew who saved the day. We can all take comfort in knowing that the aviation industry is constantly learning and evolving to ensure our safety in the skies.

Photo by Anthony Hutchings on Jet Photos

Oh, by the way, Just wanted to remind you that in addition to my aviation blog, I also have another blog dedicated to the extraordinary stories from history. It's called historyisextraordinary.blogspot.com, and it's packed with interesting and hilarious tales from the past. If you're a fan of learning about history in a fun and engaging way, then be sure to check it out! Who knows, you might just learn something new, or at least have a good laugh. Let me know in the comments if you're interested in hearing more!