London-Glasgow passengers in mid-flight terror

163 passengers were aboard the BA flight from London Heathrow to Glasgow Airport. Picture: PA

• Passengers on BA flight from London Heathrow to Glasgow Airport caught up in mid-air drama

• Pilot announced “technical issue” on BA 1476 would lead to difficult landing

• Travellers also told they should move away from plane as soon as possible, as “the life you save may be your own”

The pilot of a British Airways flight from London Heathrow to Glasgow Airport, carrying 163 passengers, announced a “technical issue” minutes before the plane was due to land.

After issuing safety guidelines and instructing passengers to move away from the aircraft upon landing, the pilot was heard saying “the life you save may be your own.”

Passengers on flight BA1476, travelling yesterday morning, were told to adopt the brace position and use the emergency doors upon landing.

One passenger said: “We were told that once we had landed, to get away from the aircraft as soon as possible. Then, the pilot said: ‘The life you save may be your own.’”

He added: “I kept thinking I wish I could see the ground, then at least I would be able to tell how high up we were. But you could only see the clouds below. People were very grateful we landed safely and could use the stairs to leave the plane, not emergency shoots.”

Emergency crews, including three fire engines, were dispatched to the grounded aircraft, which touched down at 11:50am - 35 minutes later than scheduled.

Passengers disembarked the plane without the need for emergency chutes, and made their way out of the airport after landing.

A British Airways spokeswoman said: “Our flight crew’s overwhelming priority is the safety of our customers and crew.

“When a technical issue arose on the BA 1476 from Heathrow to Glasgow, the captain of the aircraft gave the customers and additional safety briefing as a precaution in the event of a difficult landing.

“The aircraft landed safely with no issues and customers disembarked normally.”