In 1990, the story of Tim Lancaster, a pilot whose life was in danger after getting trapped in an aircraft’s window, touched the global public’s heart. What happened?
On June 10, Tim Lancaster was involved in an extraordinary incident aboard the BAC 1-11 aircraft while piloting British Airways Flight 5390. Shortly after takeoff, one of the aircraft’s windshields separated abruptly, ejecting the captain from the plane.
Suspended at an altitude over 16,000 feet and exposed to temperatures around -10°C, Tim Lancaster found himself fighting for his life at a speed close to 373 miles/h. How did he manage to survive this deadly airplane accident?
The Odyssey of British Airways Flight 5390 Pilot, Tim Lancaster
On the morning of June 10, 1990, British Airways Flight 5390 took off from Birmingham, United Kingdom, en route to Malaga. Despite appearing as a routine flight, what unfolded next was anything but ordinary. Minutes after takeoff, one of the aircraft’s windshields detached, causing a pressure differential that threatened to pull Captain Tim Lancaster out of the aircraft.
Miraculously, his legs became entangled in the plane’s controls; however, in a swift action, crew member Nigel Odgen managed to grab onto the captain’s lower limbs to prevent his ejection.
After 22 minutes of distress, Flight 5390 made an emergency landing at Southampton Airport on the south coast of England. Incredibly, the pilot suffered only minor fractures in his right hand and arm, some bruises, and frostbite.
Following five months of recovery, Tim Lancaster continued to work for British Airways until 2003. Five years later, in 2008, he retired from the world of commercial aviation at the age of 60.
Causes Behind the British Airways Flight 5390 Accident
According to investigations conducted by engineer Stuart Culling, the airplane accident resulted from a maintenance error in the airline’s hangar. The maintenance chief used 84 bolts with a diameter 0.6 millimeters smaller than the standard to secure the airplane’s windshield.
Due to their reduced thickness, the bolts loosened under pressure, causing the aircraft’s glass to be dislodged and triggering the tragic accident.
The incredible tale of Tim Lancaster’s survival reminds us of the importance of safety in aviation and the human capacity to overcome astounding challenges. His bravery and the quick actions of his flight crew made for a happy ending in the midst of an incident that could have been fatal.