British Airways A320 at London on Jan 2nd 2020, fumes take out first officer
Last Update: January 13, 2020 / 16:23:10 GMT/Zulu time
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Jan 2, 2020
Classification
Accident
Airline
British Airways
Flight number
BA-633
Departure
Athens, Greece
Destination
London Heathrow, United Kingdom
Aircraft Registration
G-EUYM
Aircraft Type
Airbus A320
ICAO Type Designator
A320
On Jan 4th 2020 The Aviation Herald received information that on final approach the first officer passed out, the captain smelled the odour of old socks, immediately donned his oxygen mask, declared emergency and continued for a safe landing. Passengers and cabin crew remained unaware until after landing.
On Jan 5th 2020 The Aviation Herald received more details: On approach to Heathrow the captain noticed the odour of dirty old socks, the first officer, pilot flying, did not smell anything. The captain believes the odour is dissipating. Then the first officer started breathing heavily, slumps forward and no longer responds to questions by the captain. The captain therefore takes control, dons his oxygen mask, declares Mayday, configures the aircraft for landing and lands safely. After landing, in care by medical staff, the first officer recovers.
On Jan 6th 2020 the airline issued a statement: "The Captain landed the aircraft safely, and customers disembarked as normal. As the First Officer was feeling unwell, he was seen by an airport paramedic as a precaution, before going home."
On Jan 13th 2020 the AAIB reported the flight crew became aware of smell/fumes on the flight deck about 10 minutes prior to landing. The first officer became unwell and fainted. Both flight crew went onto oxygen, Mayday was declared. After safe landing the flight crew sought medical attention. The AAIB rated the occurrence a serious incident and opened an investigation.
The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground in Heathrow for about 108 hours (about 4.5 days) after landing before returning to service.
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Jan 2, 2020
Classification
Accident
Airline
British Airways
Flight number
BA-633
Departure
Athens, Greece
Destination
London Heathrow, United Kingdom
Aircraft Registration
G-EUYM
Aircraft Type
Airbus A320
ICAO Type Designator
A320
This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
Article source
You can read 2 more free articles without a subscription.
Subscribe now and continue reading without any limits!
Read unlimited articles and receive our daily update briefing. Gain better insights into what is happening in commercial aviation safety.
Send tip
Support AeroInside by sending a small tip amount.
Related articles
British Airways A320 at London on Jul 22nd 2014, near collision with model helicopter
A British Airways Airbus A320-200, registration G-EUYM performing flight BA-905 from Frankfurt/Main (Germany) to London Heathrow,EN (UK), was on…
British Airways A21N at London on May 6th 2024, cabin did not pressurize
A British Airways Airbus A321-200N, registration G-NEOS performing flight BA-542 from London Heathrow,EN (UK) to Bologna (Italy), was climbing out of…
British Airways A320 at London on Apr 29th 2024, loss of nose wheel steering during turnoff
A British Airways Airbus A320-200, registration G-EUUD performing flight BA-1455 from Edinburgh,SC to London Heathrow,EN (UK), landed on Heathrow's…
British Airways A388 at Singapore on Apr 22nd 2024, weather radar failure
A British Airways Airbus A380-800, registration G-XLED performing flight BA-12 from Singapore (Singapore) to London Heathrow,EN (UK), was climbing…
British Airways A320 at Milan on Apr 4th 2024, engine shut down in flight
A British Airways Airbus A320-200, registration G-EUYD performing flight BA-568 from London Heathrow,EN (UK) to Milan Linate (Italy), was on approach…
British Airways A320 at Manchester on Mar 28th 2024, smoke in cockpit
A British Airways Airbus A320-200, registration G-EUUC performing flight BA-1396 from London Heathrow,EN to Manchester,EN (UK), was on approach to…
Newest articles
Easyjet A320 at Manchester on May 12th 2024, lightning strike
An Easyjet Airbus A320-200, registration G-EZPD performing flight U2-2179 from Manchester,EN (UK) to Amsterdam (Netherlands), was in the initial…
Canadian North AT72 at Cambridge Bay on Apr 14th 2024, runway excursion on landing
A Canadian North Avions de Transport Regional ATR-72-200, registration C-FRQA performing flight 5T-5858 from Yellowknife,NT to Cambridge Bay,NU…
Subscribe today
Are you researching aviation incidents? Get access to AeroInside Insights, unlimited read access and receive the daily newsletter.
Pick your plan and subscribePartner
A new way to document and demonstrate airworthiness compliance and aircraft value. Find out more.
ELITE Simulation Solutions is a leading global provider of Flight Simulation Training Devices, IFR training software as well as flight controls and related services. Find out more.
Your regulation partner, specialists in aviation safety and compliance; providing training, auditing, and consultancy services. Find out more.
AeroInside Blog
Popular aircraft
Airbus A320Boeing 737-800
Boeing 737-800 MAX
Popular airlines
American AirlinesUnited
Delta
Air Canada
Lufthansa
British Airways