British Airways says crash announcement was a mistake

Calcutta News.Net
Saturday 28th August, 2010

Over 250 passengers were onboard a British Airways flight to Hong Kong when an automated message informed them they were about to plummet into the ocean, a spokesman for the airline says the message was a mistake and apologized Friday.

The Boeing 747 had taken off Tuesday from London and was over the North Sea when a voice came over the public address system instructing passengers to assume the brace position for an emergency water landing.

“We all thought we were going to die,” said Michelle Lord, a passenger on the plane who spoke to The Sun, a UK-based tabloid.

A spokesperson for British Airways indicated Friday that the crew realized the error within moments and quickly reassured passengers, but not before near-panic had engulfed the plane.

“We apologise to passengers on board the flight for causing them undue distress,” said the same spokesperson for the airline, adding that an investigation was underway to determine whether the announcement was played due to human error or a technical fault.

Many airlines such as British Airways and Emirates Air have automated messages that play when the plane’s captain switches on the seat-belt sign.

The plane landed without further incident in Hong Kong.

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