The Incredible Story of a British Airways PiIot Who Survived Being Ejected from a Plane for 20 Minutes

In 1990, British Airways pilot Tim Lancaster endured a terrifying ordeal when the cockpit windshield of his plane shattered at 17,000 feet during a flight from Birmingham to Málaga.

The sudden decompression partially ejected Lancaster from the aircraft, with his upper body exposed to the freezing atmosphere while his legs remained inside the cockpit.

Flight attendant Nigel Ogden reacted immediately, grabbing Lancaster’s legs and holding on tightly for around 20 minutes, despite sustaining frostbite and injuries himself.

Co-pilot Alastair Atchison managed to take control of the aircraft, steadying it for an emergency landing while coordinating with the rest of the crew.

Another flight attendant, Simon Rogers, assisted Ogden, allowing him brief relief from the physical strain of keeping the pilot from being completely sucked out.

Passengers witnessed the chaos and fear as the crew fought to save Lancaster and maintain control of the aircraft, eventually landing safely at Southampton Airport.

Lancaster survived with severe injuries, including frostbite and multiple fractures. The incident, later featured on the TV series Mayday, stands as a testament to the crew’s bravery, teamwork, and the remarkable stability of the BAC 1-11 aircraft even in extreme emergency conditions.