RE: Aircraft crash at Birmingham

I work next to BHX and this accident is still sinking in. I didn’t see the aircraft explode, but I heard it. I was outdoors in the car park when it happened – It actually didn’t occur to me that it was a plane crash though, but I did wonder what the noise was.

I drove past BHX on the way home (around 5.30pm) and saw the crash scene. Lighting equipment has been setup in the vicinity of the wreckage, although I couldn’t make out the wreckage of the Challenger – It was too dark. I noted that among the aircraft stranded at BHX was an EK A330, used on the daily BHX-DXB rotation. It was due to depart around an hour after the crash happened. The main runway is not lit up, due to the airfield being closed. BHX is due to reopen at midday on 5/1/02. The wreckage stopped quite close to the main apron area of BHX, the two stored BA B767-300’s in particular are within close proximity of the wreckage.

Most flights have been diverted to nearby East Midlands Airport, although Manchester and Coventry are taking on BHX bound flights too. I assume Coventry is getting the light aircraft.

My thoughts are with those who lost their lives, and their families. This is truly a tragic start to 2002.