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The pilot hailed a hero when he oversaw the crash-landing of a British Airways jumbo at Heathrow is leaving the airline after falling victim to a smear campaign, it was claimed today.
Captain Peter Burkill, 45, was praised after the Boeing 777, with 151 people on board, was brought down safely after it suddenly lost power two miles from the runway after a flight from Beijing in January last year.
However he has decided to take redundancy from BA after 20 years, reportedly because he became incensed with suggestions that he “froze” in the vital moments before touchdown and failed to initiate safety procedures.
Rumous began circulating that training centre managers had told staff on refresher courses that Mr Burkill's performance had not been quite as heroic as imagined. Mr Burkill asked pilots' union Balpa for help, and was told that the rumous were unfounded.
However he was apparently so incensed that he decided to quit the airline. A source told The Sun: “Peter has been the victim of a whispering campaign. They were saying he chickened out.
“That was rubbish. He handled it brilliantly. Some people didn't like him being acclaimed a hero. There is jealousy and he is deeply hurt.”
At a press conference after the crash-landing, Mr Burkill - who was known by neighbours as “Peter the perfect pilot” - revealed that his co-pilot John Coward had been at the controls for the landing.
The plane cleared Heathrow's perimeter fence by just 7ft - narrowly missing houses, a petrol station and a school.
Air accident investigators believe the crash may have been caused by a build-up of ice in the engine during the high-altitude flight from China. Experts said it was possible that turbulence could have caused a block of ice to become dislodged, blocking the supply of fuel to the Boeing's engines just before landing.
The crew's heroics resulted in 15 members being awarded the British Airways Safety Medal for courage last year. Mr Burkill, who declined to comment, is understood to be leaving BA at the end of the month.
Reader views (14)
"I'm sure there is an explanation for it, but I am still wondering why a captain, faced with such an emergency, would not immediately take over control of the plane. Could someone explain?"
Yes, I can explain this. It is standard operating procedure at most airlines for the Captain to manage the emergency situation and the First Officer to fly the aircraft.
- Mike, UK
ah well perhaps the next time this happens the pilot could just slam it into the terminal building instead!
- Paul Humphreys, Essex
Who does he think he is, all high and mighty, flashing his wings and education at us like we're just second class citizens...
- Trunk, US
After twelve years of the country's leaders doing exactly the same to previously compliant 'good blokes', why is anyone surprised?
Peter being a pilot may now enjoy the irony of watching the 'World's Favourite Airline'.... sinking.
- Ken.H, Harrow. UK
A Boeing 777 is not a 'jumbo' as your story suggests. Sack the sub.
- Anonymous, London, UK
I'm sure there is an explanation for it, but I am still wondering why a captain, faced with such an emergency, would not immediately take over control of the plane. Could someone explain?
- Js, Hounslow
Mark, it sounds as if Capt Burkill was the victim of jealous colleagues - nothing to do with management.
- K John, London, UK
A week or so after this man's heroics, I forecast that this would happen to him. Mind you, in dumpUK nothing surprises me anymore.
- Ted, London
What a contrast to how Captain Sulley was treated in the US. Here in trashy celeb UK, if you're rude, dishonest, abusive and an airhead, you're all over the media and money is thrust into your bank account. But if, like our wonderful champion diver, Tom Daley, a talented racing driver or this pilot, brilliant - and carry your brilliance with honor, you're envied and spat upon.
It's no wonder the best end up abroad. This increasingly dystopian isle deserves all that is to hit it over the coming years as it becomes a socialist nightmare where anyone brilliant or middle class is fined, CCTVd, databased, bankrupted and/or humiliated into submission - or if they are wise, they escape before it is too late...
- Vision Aforethought, Oxford, UK
This is often how heroes are treated by those out of danger. A whispering campaign to diminish their success makes them feel more powerful. Sad.
- Jamal Akhbar, Edinburgh
Another BA management triumph.
- Mark Myword, London
Maybe Virgin Atlantic would like someone like Mr Burkhill? This airline is far superior to BA and dosn't treat its staff like you know what.
- Dirk Diggler, Soho, London
BA's loss is another airline's gain.
Good luck, and I hope you'll be flying when I'm aboard.
- Kate, London
We really are pure class aren't we........
- Jonny, London
