British Airways jet 'seconds from disaster' above London after near-catastrophic error

A British Airways jet was "seconds from disaster" after a near-catastrophic error over London.

The Airbus A320 stalled after a first officer made an error on the approach to London Heathrow.

Sources familiar with the incident said the blunder required a physical intervention from the pilot.

The mid-air close call, 4,000 feet above the capital, was described as the "most serious 'near miss' in the UK in years" by sources speaking to The Sun.

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The drama unfolded on Flight BA919 from Dusseldorf above Canary Wharf on July 6.

It is said one of the aircraft's air data systems failed.

The source said: "To recover from this position is difficult, especially so low to the ground.

"It is unheard of for a captain to physically intervene in the cockpit."

The flight almost suffered a "hull loss", an aviation term for when an aircraft is destroyed or seriously damaged, senior figures said.

The captain of the flight is now said to be on "stress leave".

The incident was reported as "loss of control in-flight" and branded "pilot induced".

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch is now probing the "serious incident".

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British Airways said it was assisting the investigation - though the Civil Aviation Authority does not comment on ongoing reviews.

News of the near-miss comes days after it emerged another BA plane narrowly avoided a catastrophic collision with an illegally operated drone near Windsor Castle.

That jet, an Airbus A320, was carrying around 180 passengers at 170mph on its final descent into Heathrow when the co-pilot spotted a "small blue drone" from the cockpit, according to a report by the UK Airprox Board.

The first officer, seated on the right-hand side of the flight deck, described the device as "very close" and estimated it passed within 50 feet - roughly equivalent to the plane's wingspan.

Investigators established that the near miss happened at 1,300 feet above the ground on May 9 this year.

The official report identified the location as Windsor Castle, though whether the King was in residence at the time remains unknown.

The near miss is thought to have taken place as the jet flew over the iconic tree-lined Long Walk, the ceremonial avenue leading to the castle that has served as the backdrop for royal weddings, state funerals and official visits.

Heathrow air traffic control was immediately notified by the flight crew, who then issued warnings to pilots of other aircraft approaching the airport to be vigilant for drones in the vicinity.

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