Three pilots on a British Airways flight to Heathrow suffered food poisoning while mid-air, an incident reminiscent of the plot of the comedy film Airplane! The pilots became ill after a stopover in Hyderabad, India.
Pilot incapacitated at 30,000 feet
The first pilot was rendered incapacitated at 30,000 feet and had to be put on oxygen. The other two pilots managed to continue working, but their symptoms worsened as the flight progressed. Despite the risk of the plane being left without a capable pilot, British Airways stated that passenger safety was not compromised.
A British Airways spokesperson told The Sun: 'He underwent a 12-hour operation after being taken to hospital once staff rescued him from the pit.' The spokesperson added: 'The welfare of our colleagues is a top priority and we are reviewing crew accommodation in this location following some isolated reports of sickness.'
Breakfast and bottled water suspected
The pilots had shared breakfast in a hotel lounge in Hyderabad, but drank bottled water from an external company. All three pilots filed Air Safety Reports and were asked to provide samples for testing to identify the source of the illness. British Airways is now reviewing its hotel options for crew in that location.
Metro has contacted British Airways for further comment. The incident highlights the potential risks to flight safety from foodborne illness among crew members.
