14/01/2009

BA Staff Arrested Following Jet Damage

Two British Airways (BA) baggage handlers have been arrested after a truck crashed into a jet due for take-off, police have said.

Police questioned a 54-year-old and 49-year-old after a gash was found on the fuselage of a BA-owned Airbus A321 on 9 January. The pair have since been released on bail.

The jet had been badly damaged after the 10-ton truck crashed into the plane, and it is alleged the pair kept quiet about it.

The damage was only noticed hours later by ground staff while it waited to taxi to a Terminal 5 runway with 80 people on board.

A BA spokeswoman said: "Two members of our ground staff based at Heathrow were arrested following an incident where one of our aircraft was damaged.

"They were both questioned by the police and released on bail pending further inquiries. It would therefore be inappropriate to give further details.

"The two staff members have been given a precautionary suspension, without prejudice, while the police carry out their investigation."

A Scotland Yard spokesman also said: "Ground crew at Heathrow Airport, Terminal 5, became aware of damage to the fuselage of an aircraft preparing for take-off.

"Two men were arrested in connection with the incident. Both males were bailed on Saturday."

The 54-year-old man has been bailed until a date at the end of February, while the younger man has been bailed until early March, he added.

(JM/KMcA)

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