British Airways passengers take legal action after plane fire

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Traumatised passengers who survived British Airways plane fire take legal action after suffering 'flashbacks'
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A UK law firm says it is advising 40 passengers who were on board
One man said he suffered an arm injury and has 'regular flashbacks'
More than two dozen people were taken to hospital with minor injuries
Preliminary investigation found 'multiple breaches' in engine casing

Published: 04:49 EST, 22 September 2015 | Updated: 09:45 EST, 22 September 2015

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Passengers who say they were left with physical injuries and psychological trauma after a British Airways plane caught fire on a runway have hired lawyers to pursue compensation.

Steve Bingham, one of the 157 passengers on board, said he has been prescribed medication to help him cope with ‘regular flashbacks’ he has suffered after everyone was forced to flee the London-bound Boeing 777-200 as it caught fire and became engulfed in smoke.

Mr Bingham, from Hillsborough, County Down, in Northern Ireland, said he also suffered an arm injury and smoke inhalation as the plane was evacuated on the runway at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport on 8 September.

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A UK law firm says it is advising 40 passengers who were on board when the Boeing 777-200 caught fire

Mr Bingham, who is one of the passengers taking legal action, said in a statement: ‘The plane accelerated for take-off, then there was a loud bang and jolt followed by an abrupt stop.

‘At that point, I thought the plane was going to tip on its side or crash.

‘Many people were screaming, with some then shouting about fire. Then I saw thick black smoke from the windows on both sides of the aircraft, but the cabin crew were still telling us to stay seated at that point. Seconds later, the pilot ordered the evacuation.’

He added: ‘Once out of the plane, the staff were screaming at us to run away. I started to run and looked back towards the plane to see that it was on fire with flames reaching twice the height of the aircraft.

‘All I could think was that if it reaches the fuel tanks and explodes we will be killed.’

Mr Bingham said he is still suffering from the incident and has regular flashbacks, adding: ‘You simply never expect something like this to happen. I am continuing to suffer from the effects of what happened, but I know we are all incredibly lucky not to have been more seriously injured.’

More than two dozen passengers suffered minor injuries, mostly abrasions, as they fled the burning plane

A spokesman for Irwin Mitchell, a UK law firm, said it is in the process of advising 40 passengers from Britain and Ireland.

The spokesman said: ‘There are a number of potential defendants but our investigation into who is ultimately liable for this incident is ongoing.’

A British Airways spokeswoman said the airline cannot discuss claims about the evacuation as it will form part of the National Transportation Safety Board investigation into the incident.

The spokeswoman added: 'We have given every customer who was involved in the incident a dedicated colleague from our customer care team who is on hand to offer practical support and help.

'We are working closely with the National Transportation Safety Board to give their investigation our fullest support.

'The safety and welfare of our customers and crew is always our top priority.'

In addition to 159 passengers, including a young child on a parent’s lap, there were 13 crew members on board flight 2276, which was scheduled to fly to London Gatwick Airport.

Twenty-seven people, including all crew members, were taken to hospital to be examined for minor injuries suffered during the evacuation.

A preliminary investigation found that the plane's left engine had ‘multiple breaches’ in its casing

A preliminary investigation by the NTSB found that the GE90-85B engine that caught fire during take-off had ‘multiple breaches’ in its casing, and parts of its high-pressure compressor component were found on the runway.

Although the passengers are seeking compensation, Clive Garner, head of aviation law at Irwin Mitchell, said the primary concern is that they receive the ‘specialist support and advice’ they require.

He added: ‘Some of the passengers have suffered physical injuries and from previous experience we know that such a terrifying incident can also cause psychological injuries to those involved.

‘Many passengers also inhaled fumes produced by the fire which may have been toxic.

‘The psychological impact of a life threatening event like this should not be underestimated. Counselling and other relevant support may also be required to help those affected overcome what they have been through.’