Sucked out of the cabin: how a flight attendant saved captain (4 photos)

One of the most memorable air disasters in British aviation history is recounted in entirely new detail. On June 20, 1990, Captain Tim Lancaster was sucked out of the cockpit window while thousands of feet in the air.





Less than 15 minutes into a flight from Birmingham, England to Malaga, Spain, British Airways captain Tim Lancaster and first officer Alistair Atchison found themselves in the middle of one of the most terrifying events of all time. At 23,000ft, two of the six cockpit windows blew out, leaving a gaping hole in the plane as it travelled at 400mph. Thanks to the heroic actions of the crew, the captain and everyone on board survived and tragedy was averted.



The horrific incident has been re-told in a Channel 5 series. The penultimate episode of Nightmare at 30,000 Feet aired last night (August 30), chronicling the tragic events of BA5390. It tells the story of how, on June 10, 1990, Captain Tim Lancaster was instantly yanked out of his seat and thrown through an open window, his torso and head colliding with the plane's outer skin.

The quick reactions of flight attendant Nigel Ogden in the moments that followed earned him national hero status as he grabbed the captain's legs and held on. Miraculously, Captain Lancaster suffered only frostbite, broken bones and bruises.





Nigel had previously said he heard a "massive explosion" that shook him before he entered the cockpit to serve tea to the pilots. Within seconds he was holding the captain's legs to stop him flying out. During the chaos, co-pilot Alistair Atchison had no choice but to take control of the stricken plane. Another flight attendant, Simon Rogers, had firmly planted himself in the pilot's seat to help avert disaster.

"All I remember is looking at Alistair trying to get the plane under control and shouting 'Mayday!' Mayday! God knows how, but while all this was happening, he managed to get the plane under control,” Nigel Ogden recalled.



In the chaos, co-pilot Atchison coped with this task and descended to an altitude where the air was suitable for breathing. He also prepared for an emergency landing with the captain still partially outside the cockpit. Against all odds, flight BA5390 eventually landed safely at Southampton Airport, England.

“The pressure on Alastair must have been enormous. Everyone’s life was in his hands – but he brought the plane to the landing beautifully,” added Nigel Ogden.