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Airliner crash-lands at Heathrow Airliner crash-lands at Heathrow
(40 minutes later)
A passenger plane has crash-landed short of a runway at Heathrow Airport, ripping off part of its undercarriage.A passenger plane has crash-landed short of a runway at Heathrow Airport, ripping off part of its undercarriage.
All 136 passengers and 16 crew escaped from the British Airways flight BA038 from Beijing. Thirteen people have been taken to hospital with minor injuries.All 136 passengers and 16 crew escaped from the British Airways flight BA038 from Beijing. Thirteen people have been taken to hospital with minor injuries.
An airport worker told the BBC the pilot on the Boeing 777 had said he had lost all power, and had been forced to glide the plane into land. An airport worker told the BBC the pilot on the Boeing 777 had said he had lost all power, and had been forced to glide the plane in to land.
All BA short-haul flights from Heathrow have been cancelled and others delayed.All BA short-haul flights from Heathrow have been cancelled and others delayed.
The worker also said the pilot had told him all the electronics had also failed.The worker also said the pilot had told him all the electronics had also failed.
I could hear the undercarriage come out and the next moment the plane just dropped Paul Venter, passenger Travellers fear flight chaosEyewitness accountsWhat went wrong at HeathrowI could hear the undercarriage come out and the next moment the plane just dropped Paul Venter, passenger Travellers fear flight chaosEyewitness accountsWhat went wrong at Heathrow
"He said he had no warning - it just went," the worker added."He said he had no warning - it just went," the worker added.
"It's a miracle. The man deserves a medal as big as a frying pan.""It's a miracle. The man deserves a medal as big as a frying pan."
BA refused to comment on the report and said it would not speculate on the cause of the crash.BA refused to comment on the report and said it would not speculate on the cause of the crash.
Police say the incident was not terror-related.Police say the incident was not terror-related.
'Enormous bang''Enormous bang'
Nearby Hillingdon Hospital is treating 13 casualties, nine men and four women. Four of those admitted are BA crew members, but the pilot is not thought to be among them.Nearby Hillingdon Hospital is treating 13 casualties, nine men and four women. Four of those admitted are BA crew members, but the pilot is not thought to be among them.
Director of operations Jacqueline Totterdell said most would be discharged later on Thursday, but one woman would be admitted overnight. She said some were suffering from whiplash.Director of operations Jacqueline Totterdell said most would be discharged later on Thursday, but one woman would be admitted overnight. She said some were suffering from whiplash.
HEATHROW TRAVEL DISRUPTION Several short-haul and some long-haul flights cancelledMany other long-haul flights from Heathrow departing late, currently about two to three hours in many casesThe scheduled British Airways flights from Manchester Airport to Heathrow at 1540, 1705, 1850 and 1940 are cancelled. 11 incoming flights diverted to GatwickFour incoming flights have been diverted to LutonFive incoming flights have been diverted to StanstedFor up-to-date information on later flights, contact your airline Latest on travel chaosIn Pictures: Plane crash-landsProfile: Boeing 777 HEATHROW TRAVEL DISRUPTION 221 flights cancelled, including scheduled British Airways flights from Manchester Airport to Heathrow at 1540, 1705, 1850 and 1940Many other long-haul flights departing and arriving late24 incoming flights diverted to Gatwick, Luton and StanstedFor up-to-date information on later flights, contact your airline Latest on travel chaosIn Pictures: Plane crash-landsProfile: Boeing 777
Seven of those in hospital are British and three are Chinese. The nationalities of the others are not yet known.Seven of those in hospital are British and three are Chinese. The nationalities of the others are not yet known.
BA said one of those injured had a broken leg.BA said one of those injured had a broken leg.
The incident happened on the south runway at 1242 GMT, as Prime Minister Gordon Brown was due to leave Heathrow for China and India. His flight was delayed because of the incident.The incident happened on the south runway at 1242 GMT, as Prime Minister Gordon Brown was due to leave Heathrow for China and India. His flight was delayed because of the incident.
Witnesses described the plane coming in very low and landing short of the runway, before skidding across grass and tarmac.Witnesses described the plane coming in very low and landing short of the runway, before skidding across grass and tarmac.
Part of the undercarriage, including two wheels were torn off, and there was some damage to the wings.Part of the undercarriage, including two wheels were torn off, and there was some damage to the wings.
The runway was initially closed, but reopened later to take-offs only. The north runway remained open throughout the incident.The runway was initially closed, but reopened later to take-offs only. The north runway remained open throughout the incident.
A telephone helpline has been set up for anyone concerned about friends or relatives on 0800 3894193.A telephone helpline has been set up for anyone concerned about friends or relatives on 0800 3894193.
The Department of Transport's Air Accidents Investigation Branch has launched an investigation.The Department of Transport's Air Accidents Investigation Branch has launched an investigation.
In a statement, it said initial findings would be released within 48 hours, followed by a more detailed, but still preliminary, report within 30 days.In a statement, it said initial findings would be released within 48 hours, followed by a more detailed, but still preliminary, report within 30 days.
'On its belly''On its belly'
Paul Venter, who was on board the plane, said he had been aware of a problem just as the plane was about to land.Paul Venter, who was on board the plane, said he had been aware of a problem just as the plane was about to land.
"I could hear the undercarriage come out, and the next moment the plane just dropped," Mr Venter said."I could hear the undercarriage come out, and the next moment the plane just dropped," Mr Venter said.
"When everything came to a standstill, I looked out of the window and the undercarriage was gone and the plane was on its belly.""When everything came to a standstill, I looked out of the window and the undercarriage was gone and the plane was on its belly."
Eyewitness John Rowland, who was driving on the nearby M4 motorway, said: "The plane's wheels collapsed, doors were flown open.Eyewitness John Rowland, who was driving on the nearby M4 motorway, said: "The plane's wheels collapsed, doors were flown open.
"On its approach it took the runway too low, just missing the roof of my cab."On its approach it took the runway too low, just missing the roof of my cab.
"It crashed into the runway, debris was flying everywhere, there was an enormous bang and it skidded sideways.""It crashed into the runway, debris was flying everywhere, there was an enormous bang and it skidded sideways."
Another eyewitness, also a taxi driver, said the plane flew over "so low you would think you could lean out the window and touch it".Another eyewitness, also a taxi driver, said the plane flew over "so low you would think you could lean out the window and touch it".
"It passed over my vehicle at something like 20ft and over the perimeter [fence] at 15ft before it plunged into the runway," he told the BBC."It passed over my vehicle at something like 20ft and over the perimeter [fence] at 15ft before it plunged into the runway," he told the BBC.
'Near miracle''Near miracle'
BA said the cabin crew had done an "excellent job" evacuating passengers via the emergency chutes.BA said the cabin crew had done an "excellent job" evacuating passengers via the emergency chutes.
BA helpline ONLY for anyone concerned about friends or relatives: 0800 389 4193 or 44 191 211 3690 from overseasBA general enquiries: 0870 850 9850BA helpline ONLY for anyone concerned about friends or relatives: 0800 389 4193 or 44 191 211 3690 from overseasBA general enquiries: 0870 850 9850
Chief executive of BA Willie Walsh said he was "very proud" of the crew and the Boeing 777 was an "excellent aircraft".Chief executive of BA Willie Walsh said he was "very proud" of the crew and the Boeing 777 was an "excellent aircraft".
"We train hard for incidents such as this, and all that training has paid off today," Mr Walsh said."We train hard for incidents such as this, and all that training has paid off today," Mr Walsh said.
Fire crews doused the plane in foam to prevent its fuel tanks catching fire.Fire crews doused the plane in foam to prevent its fuel tanks catching fire.
Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly paid tribute to those involved in the incident and said she was "relieved" there had been no serious injuries.Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly paid tribute to those involved in the incident and said she was "relieved" there had been no serious injuries.
"British Airways have assured me that they are doing everything possible for the passengers and crew involved," Ms Kelly said."British Airways have assured me that they are doing everything possible for the passengers and crew involved," Ms Kelly said.
"The next step is to find out what happened and why.""The next step is to find out what happened and why."
Aviation expert Kieran Daly, from Flight International magazine, said not a single Boeing 777 had been lost in a crash since the aircraft was launched in 1995.
More than 90 flights had been cancelled at Heathrow by 1530 GMT. Some flights bound for Heathrow are being diverted to Stansted and Luton Airports, and others have been cancelled.
HEATHROW AIRPORT Opened: 1946Runways: 2Terminals: 4 (5 by Mar 2008)Land area: 1214haMovements per year: 469,560Passengers per year: 67.7mWorld rank (by passengers): 3 Source: BAAHEATHROW AIRPORT Opened: 1946Runways: 2Terminals: 4 (5 by Mar 2008)Land area: 1214haMovements per year: 469,560Passengers per year: 67.7mWorld rank (by passengers): 3 Source: BAA
Aviation expert Kieran Daly, from Flight International magazine, said not a single Boeing 777 had been lost in a crash since the aircraft was launched in 1995.
A total of 221 flights out of a normal 1,300 were cancelled on Thursday, Heathrow's operator BAA said. Most of those were to short haul destinations.
A further 24 flights bound for Heathrow were diverted to Stansted, Gatwick and Luton Airports.
John McDonnell MP, whose Hayes and Harlington constituency includes Heathrow, said the incident underlined concerns about extending the airport.John McDonnell MP, whose Hayes and Harlington constituency includes Heathrow, said the incident underlined concerns about extending the airport.
"This is a near miracle that neither passengers or anyone on the ground has been seriously injured," Mr McDonnell said."This is a near miracle that neither passengers or anyone on the ground has been seriously injured," Mr McDonnell said.
The plane involved is one of 43 Boeing 777s in BA's fleet. It is believed to be about six years old.The plane involved is one of 43 Boeing 777s in BA's fleet. It is believed to be about six years old.


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