Praise for Heathrow crash pilot

Last Modified: 18 Jan 2008
By: James Blake

The pilot who crash-landed his Boeing 777 at Heathrow yesterday has been hailed "a hero".

Captain Peter Burkill managed to bring down the BA jet safely, despite suffering what now seems to have been a complete loss of power at just 500 feet.

Just 18 of the 136 passengers suffered minor injuries.

The aftermath of the Heathrow crash has reopened the debate over the controversial plans for a third runway at the airport, which are supported by the department for transport.

The crash has reopened the debate over controversial plans for a third runway at Heathrow.

The campaign against expansion is backed by a number of politicians, including London mayor Ken Livingstone, who is featured in a full-page newspaper advert today along with fellow candidates for this year's mayoral elections: the Liberal Democrat Brian Paddick, the Greens' Sian Berry, and Conservative Boris Johnson.

Supporters of the third runway say it is vital to the health of the economy. But for many it raises safety concerns.