Boeing 737-236 series 1, G-BGJL: Main document - Leonardo

A passenger from seat 6A saw a sheet of flame inside the cabin.It seemed to be near the centre of
the aircraft and separatedthe front half from the back. Another passenger from 6B, afterseeing foam
being sprayed over the fire on the left side of theaircraft, tried to move into the aisle but it was
jammed withpeople and it was difficult to move. On turning he saw flamesshooting in through the
side windows and up through the floorarea. The flames were several feet in length and continual.
The fireman who, after rescuing the young boy, attempted to rescuethe man jammed in the
overwing exit, reported feeling "dizzy"from the effects of the fumes and smoke. Comments on the
effectsof the smoke outside the aircraft were made by many of those assisting,who complained of
its effects on their throats and breathing.
A British Airways coach had collected the crew of a Tristar aircraftwith the intention of taking
them to their flight office afterclearing Customs. When the driver saw the aircraft on fire
heinformed his passengers that he was taking the coach to assistat the accident. Upon arrival (at
approximately 4 minutes afterthe aircraft stopped) the cabin crew immediately went to the
assistanceof the survivors, many of whom ran towards the coach. The firstevacuees were in a state
of shock, but dry, whereas those followingthem were blackened with smoke and wet with foam.
Several stewardessesassisted a woman who was lying approximately 100 yards forwardof the
aircraft and appeared unconscious. She was being givencardiac massage by a fireman. After
resuscitation with oxygen,this passenger began to recover and a deep wound was found onthe back
of her head. She was taken to an ambulance. A young girlof approximately 17 years, was also
found in the grass forwardand to the left of the aircraft. Her face was black, hair wet,and her eyes
"frosted over" with a white deposit. Shehad no signs of burning on her clothes.
The crew members also assisted a young man of about 24 years,he was crouched on the grass and
covered in soot. He was havingdifficulty in breathing and thick mucus was pouring from his
noseand mouth. A stewardess hit him in the back, the practised methodof causing a cough reflex.
As she did this, he started to coughand his breathing became easier.
The TriStar crew members met both surviving cabin crew and assistedthem away from the aircraft.
The British Airways coach was joinedby another three coaches from the Manchester Airport
Authority.
After some 40 survivors had been led aboard the British Airwayscoach, it left the scene at
approximately 0725 hours for PierB, gate number 1 departure lounge where approximately 15
BritishAirways cabin crew had set up chairs, blankets etc to receivethe passengers. The young boy
pulled from the overwing exit wasgiven some treatment here for the burns to his hands, using afirst
aid box from an adjacent aircraft. Another passenger whowas having difficulty breathing was given
oxygen to ease her respiration.It was, however, quickly decided that this area was not suitablefor
the condition of the survivors who were in a state of shock,and they were then taken on by the
British Airways coach to WythenshaweHospital at 0745 hours, where staff were ready to receive
them.
The young boy, whose condition was deteriorating, was not takendirectly to the hospital, but was
taken to the Fire Station ina catering van by a British Airways stewardess, where he was
reunitedwith his father. The remaining survivors had been taken to thefire station crew room by the
Manchester Airport coaches. Thesesurvivors were later taken to Wythenshawe Hospital. Many
BritishAirways cabin crew staff stayed at Wythenshawe Hospital to consolethe survivors and also
to take names and addresses for disseminationto relatives.
A cabin seating plan showing which passengers used each exit andthe seat location of those who
died is at Appendix 14.