AN heroic Worcester pilot who crash-landed at Heathrow may consider leaving British Airways after facing rumours he froze at the controls.

Captain Peter Burkill was hailed a hero after overseeing the successful landing of a Boeing 777 jet with 152 people on board when its engines failed in January.

However, reports emerged this weekend that he has only flown once since then after hearing speculation on his return that he had failed to act, leaving his co-pilot John Coward at the helm.

Captain Burkill, of King Stephen's Mount, St John's, refused to comment on the reports but his wife Maria said: "He had some negative comments on that flight and was having to defend himself. It was quite upsetting."

Mrs Burkill said her husband was advised not to fly until the publication of an internal BA report explaining what had happened on board the flight - but the report has still not been published.

She said, contrary to the speculation, Capt Burkill was in fact responsible for a last-minute adjustment to the wing flaps which ensured the plane cleared a perimeter fence.

She said: "On the final approach they knew they had a problem 25 seconds out.

"He made the decision to let the first officer continue to fly while he tried to diagnose the problem when he realised if they continued flying the way they were they wouldn't be able to clear the perimeter fence."

Mrs Burkill said her husband faced a tricky choice - if he did not adjust the flaps the plane would crash into a built- up area but too much adjustment could cause the plane to stall.

She said: "If he had not adjusted it exactly as he did, they would have gone down.

"They cleared the fence by 7ft (2.1m), it was that close."

Mrs Burkill said her husband was desperate to resume his career and was now considering all the options available to him.

She said: "He's a pilot. All he wants to do is fly.

"There's been no help when it comes to quashing rumours and it's Pete's reputation that he's spent 20 years building up.

"He's always been at BA, his Dad was at BA. We expected him to stay at BA and retire at BA.

"He's gutted at even considering leaving."