British Airways Pilot Takes Leave After Near-Disaster at Heathrow

A British Airways captain has taken stress leave following a serious operational error that forced a mayday declaration during a flight into London Heathrow.

A British Airways flight has become the subject of an urgent safety investigation after a series of operational blunders nearly resulted in a 'hull loss' incident during an approach to London Heathrow. The captain of the flight has since taken stress leave following the harrowing experience. The incident, which prompted a mayday declaration, occurred when a significant altitude deviation—reported as a 3,000-foot error—was made by the first officer. Reports indicate the aircraft was seconds away from a potential disaster before the captain intervened to correct the flight path. Passengers o…