Pilot of Heathrow crash called hero

Eyewitnesses said the aircraft "dropped like a stone" after it "see-sawed" on its approach, with its nose bobbing up and down. They praised the BA captain's actions in missing nearby houses and the road, thereby avoiding a disaster.
 
An airport worker who spoke to Capt Burkill said: "He told me the aircraft shut down and lost power. He glided it across and managed to get the nose up.
 
"It happened very close to coming in to land, probably over Hounslow. Everything was normal and suddenly 'boom', the power's gone.
 
"This man deserves a medal as big as a frying pan. He's done a fantastic job, he really has."
 
Capt Burkill, one of BA's most experienced pilots with almost 20 years service, was described as looking "very pale" as the plane was evacuated. The incident was so sudden he did not even have time to send out a mayday distress call.

Eyewitnesses said the aircraft "dropped like a stone" after it "see-sawed" on its approach, with its nose bobbing up and down. They praised the BA captain's actions in missing nearby houses and the road, thereby avoiding a disaster.

An airport worker who spoke to Capt Burkill said: "He told me the aircraft shut down and lost power. He glided it across and managed to get the nose up.

"It happened very close to coming in to land, probably over Hounslow. Everything was normal and suddenly 'boom', the power's gone.

"This man deserves a medal as big as a frying pan. He's done a fantastic job, he really has."

Capt Burkill, one of BA's most experienced pilots with almost 20 years service, was described as looking "very pale" as the plane was evacuated. The incident was so sudden he did not even have time to send out a mayday distress call.