Injuries Direct - Personal Injury Claims

Passengers involved in a British Airways air crash are making personal injury compensation claims against the plane’s manufacturer Boeing.

On January 17th 2008, flight BA038 from Beijing to London had to crash land near to Heathrow airport. About 2 miles from the runway the engines failed and the plane had to come down just short of the runway – at twice the speed of a regular plane landing.

 As a result the landing gear was ripped off, and the aircraft’s wings and undercarriage were badly damaged in what became a very violent landing. Many of the 136 crew and 16 passengers were thrown around the cabin, with many suffering broken bones and facial injuries.

Although no-one died in the air crash – something which has been put down to the skill of the pilot and co-pilot, many of the passengers are now making personal injury compensation claims after being left with post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychological injuries.

Furthermore, many business travellers on the plane at the time are said to have been put off flying because of the ordeal and have therefore suffered setbacks and delays to their careers – resulting in a loss of potential income.

The claimants are blaming Boeing – in particular the 777 aircraft they were travelling on at the time. They say the design of the aircraft meant that ice could form in the fuel pipes which in turn blocked the flow of fuel to the engines.

If successful, passengers could be awarded up to £1million personal injury compensation each – taking into account injuries, both physical and psychological, along with further damages.

Boeing has so far refused to comment on the case.