Serious incident Airbus A320-232 G-EUYM,
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ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 232062
 
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Date:Thursday 2 January 2020
Time:c. 20:15 UTC
Type:Silhouette image of generic A320 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
Airbus A320-232
Owner/operator:British Airways
Registration: G-EUYM
MSN: 4791
Year of manufacture:2011
Engine model:IAE V2527-A5
Fatalities:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants:
Aircraft damage: None
Category:Serious incident
Location:near London-Heathrow Airport, Hounslow, Middlesex -   United Kingdom
Phase: Approach
Nature:Passenger - Non-Scheduled/charter/Air Taxi
Departure airport:Athens-Elefthérios Venizélos International Airport (ATH/LGAV)
Destination airport:London-Heathrow Airport (LHR/EGLL)
Confidence Rating: Information verified through data from accident investigation authorities
Narrative:
A British Airways Airbus A320-200, registration G-EUYM performing flight BA-633 from Athens (Greece) to London Heathrow (UK), was on final approach to Heathrow's runway 27R about 4nm before touchdown when the captain donned his oxygen mask and declared Mayday, Mayday advising he was going to continue the approach. The aircraft touched down safely on runway 27R about 2 minutes later.

Update #1: On Jan 4th 2020 on final approach the first officer passed out, the captain smelled the odour of old socks, immediately donned his oxygen mask, declared emergency and continued for a safe landing. Passengers and cabin crew remained unaware until after landing.

Update #2: On Jan 5th 2020 - On approach to Heathrow the captain noticed the odour of dirty old socks, the first officer, pilot flying, did not smell anything. The captain believes the odour is dissipating. Then the first officer started breathing heavily, slumps forward and no longer responds to questions by the captain. The captain therefore takes control, dons his oxygen mask, declares Mayday, configures the aircraft for landing and lands safely. After landing, in care by medical staff, the first officer recovers.

Update #3: On Jan 6th 2020 the airline issued a statement: "The Captain landed the aircraft safely, and customers disembarked as normal. As the First Officer was feeling unwell, he was seen by an airport paramedic as a precaution, before going home."

Update #4: On Jan 13th 2020 the AAIB reported the flight crew became aware of smell/fumes on the flight deck about 10 minutes prior to landing. The first officer became unwell and fainted. Both flight crew went onto oxygen, Mayday was declared. After safe landing the flight crew sought medical attention. The AAIB rated the occurrence a serious incident and opened an investigation.

The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground in Heathrow for about 108 hours (about 4.5 days) after landing before returning to service. The aircraft was grounded and resumed service on January 7.

Sources:

1. https://www.bea.aero/en/investigation-reports/notified-events/detail/event/serious-incident-to-an-airbus-a320-operated-by-british-airways-on-02012020-near-london-investigat/
2. https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/g-euym#2363b175
3. http://thebasource.com/british-airways-a320-g-euym-ba633-heathrow-fumes-incident/
4. http://avherald.com/h?article=4d189839&opt=0
5. https://www.aeroinside.com/item/14229/british-airways-a320-at-london-on-jan-2nd-2020-fumes-take-out-first-officer

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
11-Jan-2020 20:47 harro Added
21-Oct-2020 21:48 Dr. John Smith Updated [Source]
21-Oct-2020 21:54 Dr. John Smith Updated [Location, Source, Narrative]

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