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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| British Airways fire pilot: 'I'm finished flying' | British Airways fire pilot: 'I'm finished flying' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The pilot of a British Airways plane which caught fire at a Las Vegas airport, forcing the evacuation of 170 people on board on emergency slides, has told NBC he is "finished flying". | The pilot of a British Airways plane which caught fire at a Las Vegas airport, forcing the evacuation of 170 people on board on emergency slides, has told NBC he is "finished flying". |
| Chris Henkey, from Reading, said he was "unlikely" to make a trip to Barbados, after which he was due to retire. | Chris Henkey, from Reading, said he was "unlikely" to make a trip to Barbados, after which he was due to retire. |
| His fiancee said she was "very shocked", but praised him as a "hero". | His fiancee said she was "very shocked", but praised him as a "hero". |
| Officials in the United States said the left engine of the Boeing 777-200 caught fire before take-off. | Officials in the United States said the left engine of the Boeing 777-200 caught fire before take-off. |
| At least 14 people were taken to hospital with minor injuries after the incident on a runway at McCarran International Airport. | At least 14 people were taken to hospital with minor injuries after the incident on a runway at McCarran International Airport. |
| Describing the incident, Mr Henkey told NBC: "There was a loud bang and the aircraft sort of veered to the left. Because we had a third pilot he actually opened the door and went down into the cabin, saw how serious it was." | Describing the incident, Mr Henkey told NBC: "There was a loud bang and the aircraft sort of veered to the left. Because we had a third pilot he actually opened the door and went down into the cabin, saw how serious it was." |
| He told the network he had been due to fly to Barbados on Saturday and return the following Tuesday "and that would be it." | He told the network he had been due to fly to Barbados on Saturday and return the following Tuesday "and that would be it." |
| But he reportedly added: "It's safe to say I'm finished flying." | But he reportedly added: "It's safe to say I'm finished flying." |
| His fiancee, 40-year-old Lenka Nevolna, confirmed he was due to retire. | His fiancee, 40-year-old Lenka Nevolna, confirmed he was due to retire. |
| "He's a hero," she said. "He's a great man with a warm heart, and generosity, and I'm very proud of him." | "He's a hero," she said. "He's a great man with a warm heart, and generosity, and I'm very proud of him." |
| 'Very experienced' | 'Very experienced' |
| In a recording, which appeared to be a conversation between Mr Henkey and air traffic control, he was heard saying calmly: "Mayday, mayday, Speedbird 2276 request fire services." | In a recording, which appeared to be a conversation between Mr Henkey and air traffic control, he was heard saying calmly: "Mayday, mayday, Speedbird 2276 request fire services." |
| A woman in the control tower immediately replied: "Speedbird 2276 Heavy; fire services on the way." | |
| Forty seconds later the captain added: "We are evacuating on the runway. We have a fire. I repeat, we are evacuating." | Forty seconds later the captain added: "We are evacuating on the runway. We have a fire. I repeat, we are evacuating." |
| According to reports, Mr Henkey was applauded by passengers in the terminal building. | According to reports, Mr Henkey was applauded by passengers in the terminal building. |
| "I know the papers are saying now 'he's a hero'," the pilot told NBC. "[But] we have to remember there are two other pilots and cabin crew who all behaved very, very well." | "I know the papers are saying now 'he's a hero'," the pilot told NBC. "[But] we have to remember there are two other pilots and cabin crew who all behaved very, very well." |
| BA would not confirm the identity of the captain but said he was "very experienced and has flown with British Airways for 42 years". | BA would not confirm the identity of the captain but said he was "very experienced and has flown with British Airways for 42 years". |
| In a statement, the airline said the aircraft "experienced a technical issue as it was preparing for take-off". | In a statement, the airline said the aircraft "experienced a technical issue as it was preparing for take-off". |
| Flight 2276 was bound for London's Gatwick airport. | Flight 2276 was bound for London's Gatwick airport. |
| There were 157 passengers and 13 crew members on board. | There were 157 passengers and 13 crew members on board. |