UK: Flight makes emergency landing as 2 pilots fall ill after smelling 'foul odour' in cockpit

A British Airways flight had to make an emergency landing and its two pilots were rushed to the hospital after breathing in a "foul odour" and fell ill. On Thursday morning, at 30,000ft in the air, the captain and co-pilot wore their oxygen masks after reporting a stench in the cockpit, Daily Mail reported.

The pilots soon got in touch with the ground staff and made the emergency landing at Heathrow Airport from where they were taken to the hospital.

The captain and co-pilot, which took off from New Castle, appeared to have inhaled toxic chemicals, according to reports.

"The immediate concern is obviously for the two pilots," The Sun quoted a source as saying, adding that everyone was worried about what could have happened if the two cockpit crew were intoxicated while still at the controls of a crowded jet at that altitude.

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“Investigations have started into this alarming incident,” the report added.

The BA Shuttle 13C, carrying 180 passengers, took off at 7.41am and took 91 minutes to arrive at Heathrow’s Terminal 5 at 9:14 a.m., which was one hour and 54 minutes later than its planned touchdown.

The London Ambulance Service, pressed into action after the incident, said they treated two patients at the scene for smoke inhalation and took them to a local hospital.

It further reported this wasn't the first time a British Airways flight was hit by a "toxic fume". In 2019, according to the same report, the UK national career reported as many as 291 such events