No jobs for pilot who saved 152 passengers
Captain Peter Burkill's flying skills helped prevent disaster
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By Richard James. |  |
Wednesday, 23, Sep 2009 09:44
An airline pilot who saved the lives of 152 passengers by avoiding a potential aviation disaster last year has been forced to apply for Jobseekers Allowance.
Captain Peter Burkill was named a 'hero' in January 2008 after all 136 passengers and 16 crew members survived the crash of a British Airways flight at Heathrow Airport.
The Boeing 777 aircraft crashed just beyond the perimeter fence of the London airport, with investigators later finding a build up of ice in the plane's engines may have played a role.
Senior first officer John Coward and Mr Burkill brought the plane in to land.
But despite the recognition generated by the incident Mr Burkill, from Worcester, is now claiming just over £60 from the government scheme having taken early redundancy from British Airways earlier this year.
Korean Airlines are one company to deny Mr Burkill employment - arguing their pilots must not have an "accident or incident" on their CV.
"At the time it was disappointing, but they have got a protocol and that is what they are following," explained Maria Burkill, Mr Burkill's wife, to the Press Association.
"It is frustrating because Pete is a pilot and loves flying, but we never expected him to be flying before the end of the year and we appreciate we are in a far more fortunate position than many other people."