A passenger describes the fear experienced during a British Airways flight from Dusseldorf that issued a mayday call after a data system failure.

A British Airways flight from Dusseldorf to London Heathrow issued a mayday call on July 6 following a serious incident. Passenger Edward Killiwick reported a violent maneuver and a lack of communication from the crew, noting that passengers were visibly distressed as the aircraft circled in a holding pattern.

Technical issues and investigation

According to France's accident investigation authority, the BEA, the Airbus A320 experienced a data system failure that triggered a stall warning during its approach. The crew subsequently operated the aircraft in 'alternate law,' a mode that removes certain automated flight protections. A second stall warning occurred at 3,000 feet, prompting the crew to upgrade their urgency call to a mayday. The UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch is currently investigating the incident with assistance from British Airways.

Passenger experience

Edward Killiwick, who was on board with his partner, described a 15-minute holding pattern characterized by a lack of information from the flight deck. He recalled a violent maneuver that felt like an evasive action, accompanied by the sound of engines at full power. Killiwick noted that passengers were frightened, with one woman screaming that she did not want to die. Upon landing, the aircraft was met by fire trucks and a police car, and passengers remained quiet as they disembarked.