THE co-pilot of the crash-landed passenger jet at Heathrow has told how, moments before impact, he thought everyone was about to die.

Speaking to a national newspaper, Senior First Officer John Coward said he realised the engines of the Boeing 777 had cut out as the aircraft was approaching the airport's southern airstrip on Thursday.

Alongside Captain Peter Burkill, from Worcester, the co-pilot managed to gain control of the aircraft and glide it to safety, although he admitted today that he thought there was going to be a "catastrophic crash".

He said: "Suddenly there was nothing from any of the engines, and the plane started to glide.

"I didn't think we'd clear the fence at first. As we landed I was bracing myself for an enormous thud. But instead of one thud, there was a series of thuds as it bounced along the grass."

The 41-year-old added: "Eventually it shuddered to a halt. While I was trying to stop the plane I struggled to try and keep it in a straight line."

Speaking about the moments after the crash-landing, he said: "There was no sound at all. No sound from the engines, no sound from behind.

"I turned around and composed myself and heard a lot of commotion behind me. I realised that staff were trying to carry out the drills to evacuate all the passengers."

More than 150 people, including crew, were on board the 777 at the time, but only a handful suffered minor injures, many during the evacuation procedure.

Capt Burkill, from King Stephens Mount in St Johns, praised his team at a press conference held at British Airways headquarters in London.

Following a huge round of spontaneous applause, the captain - who had taken his crew out for a curry hours earlier in a bid to regain a sense of normality - said: "As British Airways flight and cabin crew we are trained on a regular basis to deal with emergency situations.

"We have procedures to follow and everyone knows their role.

"Flying is about teamwork and we had an outstanding team on board. I am proud to say every member of my team played their part expertly."

Investigations are continuing at Heathrow, where flights are beginning to return to normal, and plans are being made to transport the stricken aircraft to a hangar for further work to be carried out.


By MURRAY KELSO