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Co-pilot controlled crash-landing Co-pilot controlled crash-landing
(20 minutes later)
A British Airways jet that crash-landed at Heathrow was being controlled by the co-pilot, it has been revealed.A British Airways jet that crash-landed at Heathrow was being controlled by the co-pilot, it has been revealed.
Captain Peter Burkill told a press conference Senior First Officer John Coward brought the plane in to land on Thursday afternoon.Captain Peter Burkill told a press conference Senior First Officer John Coward brought the plane in to land on Thursday afternoon.
Mr Burkill, 43, also praised all the crew for showing "the highest standards of skill and professionalism", as he spoke at the airline's headquartersMr Burkill, 43, also praised all the crew for showing "the highest standards of skill and professionalism", as he spoke at the airline's headquarters
All 136 passengers and 16 crew survived the incident.All 136 passengers and 16 crew survived the incident.
Mr Burkill, along with Mr Coward and Cabin Services Director Sharon Eaton-Mercer, were greeted with massive applause ahead of the short statement about the crash. Mr Burkill, along with Mr Coward and Cabin Services Director Sharon Eaton-Mercer, were greeted with massive applause ahead of their first short statement about the crash.
Flying is about teamwork and we had an outstanding team on board Captain Peter Burkill Two large cranes have been moved into position around the aircraft, to enable investigators to continue their inquiry in to how the plane was forced to ditch short of the runway.
Because of the ongoing investigation, Mr Burkill said he could not comment on what caused the incident. Flying is about teamwork and we had an outstanding team on board Captain Peter Burkill class="" href="/1/hi/england/london/7196748.stm">Pilot's full statement
He praised the passengers and rescue staff for the way they reacted when the plane was forced to ditch short of the runway. Mr Burkill, who was unable not comment on what caused the incident, praised the passengers and rescue staff for the way they reacted when the plane was forced to ditch short of the runway.
"As British Airways flight and cabin crew we are trained on a regular basis to deal with emergency situations," he said."As British Airways flight and cabin crew we are trained on a regular basis to deal with emergency situations," he said.
"We have procedures to follow and everyone knows their place."We have procedures to follow and everyone knows their place.
"Flying is about teamwork and we had an outstanding team on board.""Flying is about teamwork and we had an outstanding team on board."
Peter Burkill revealed his co-pilot was at the controls Two large cranes are being used to lift the plane
He said Mr Coward had done a "most remarkable job" in landing the aircraft.He said Mr Coward had done a "most remarkable job" in landing the aircraft.
The pilot praised the cabin director and her staff, some of whom suffered minor injuries making sure passengers were safe. Mr Burkill and Mr Coward are said to have shared a curry on Thursday night after the incident.
He said Ms Eaton Mercer only left the aircraft after she was certain those on the flight deck were unharmed. Ms Eaton-Mercer only left the aircraft after she was certain those on the flight deck were unharmed, Mr Burkill said.
"I want to thank the passengers too for their calmness and good sense during extremely unfamiliar circumstances," Mr Burkill said."I want to thank the passengers too for their calmness and good sense during extremely unfamiliar circumstances," Mr Burkill said.
He also thanked the fire, ambulance and police personnel for their quick response to the crash.He also thanked the fire, ambulance and police personnel for their quick response to the crash.
Investigators are trying to find out what caused the incident. The plane is thought to have suffered a sudden loss of power on approach. The Chief Inspector of Air Accidents, David King, warned it could take some time to discover the cause of the crash, but he would act immediately if investigations reveal safety concerns.
'Prefessionalism praised' Extremely reliable
Mr Burkill and Mr Coward are said to have shared a curry on Thursday night after the incident. The plane is thought to have suffered a sudden loss of power on approach.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown's own flight to China was delayed as the Boeing skidded across the grass short of the runway and pulled up about 1,000 metres from his plane. Theories about the cause of the crash include:
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  • Mechanical or electronic failure
  • Birds flying into engines
  • Sudden wind change
  • Pilot error
Mr Brown, who is on an official visit to Beijing, praised the pilot's "professionalism" in managing to avert a major disaster.
He said: "I think it's right to pay tribute to the calmness and professionalism of the British Airways staff and the captain and what he achieved in landing the aircraft." So far BA are not grounding any of the 43 Boeing 777 planes in its fleet.
The aircraft is generally thought by experts to be extremely reliable, with no serious accidents reported since it was introduced in 1996.