'We're about to crash!' Terrified BA passengers told they're about to land in the North Sea after computer glitch



Terrified passengers on a British Airways flight were warned they were about to crash into the North Sea when a computer glitch sent out an emergency message.

The mistake triggered an automated recording of a calm female voice which stated: 'This is an emergency. We may shortly need to make an emergency landing on water.'

About 275 passengers were on the Boeing 747 flying from London Heathrow to Hong Kong on Tuesday night when the automated message went out. The plane was flying over the North Sea at the time.

Terrified passengers on a British Airways flight were warned they were about to crash into the North Sea when an emergency message was sent out in error. (File image)

'We all thought we were going to die,' Michelle Lord, 32, of Preston told The Sun newspaper.

Another passenger was reported saying: 'I can't think of anything worse than being told your plane's about to crash.'

BA explained today that the message was an automatic one that was triggered by a computer.



'We apologise to passengers on board the flight for causing them undue distress,' he added in a statement.

'Our cabin crew immediately made an announcement following the message advising customers that it was an error and that the flight would continue as normal.'

The Boeing 747 Jumbo jet is considered to have an outstanding safety record, with fewer than 50 aircraft lost through crashes since its introduction in 1969. A total of 2,850 people have lost their lives in 747 crashes.