'We began descending very sharply': Passengers tell of moment BA jet turned back to Heathrow after both pilots 'almost pass out' at controls

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

The plane, an Airbus A321, was heading to Glasgow when both pilots reported feeling unwell

A British Airways jet was forced to make an emergency landing after two women pilots 'almost passed out' at the controls.
The Captain and first officer both reported feeling light-headed as the aircraft, which had taken off from Heathrow, was climbing at 20,000 feet.
As the drama unfolded just 15 minutes into the flight, passengers heard a 'panicked' captain call for a senior member of the cabin crew to come to their aid 'immediately'.

Dramatic escape: Passengers were rushed back to Heathrow after both the Captain and first officer became dizzy and light-headed during the ascent (file photo)

A steward was seen carrying an oxygen cylinder into the cockpit as the stricken flight requested an emergency return to Heathrow.
One passenger, a 40-year-old health and safety manager, said: 'A lot of stewards were moving about. You could tell they had a lot on their plate, with this happening so soon into the flight.

The passengers were greeted at Terminal 5 shortly after take-off by paramedics and fire crews

'I know we flew back much faster than we had set off because we began descending sharply almost straight away.'
Bewildered passengers were only told that they were heading back 'due to a technical fault.'
A frightened elderly passenger had to be attended to by staff as the emergency return began.
A spokesman for BA confirmed that both pilots had become 'unwell' and followed procedures by donning oxygen masks and returning to Heathrow.
'The pilots reported feeling light-headed so, as a precaution and following normal procedure, put on their oxygen masks,' she said.
'Our pilots are highly trained to deal with such circumstances. The aircraft landed safely and customers continued their journey after a short delay.'

source: dailymail