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BA staff arrested over jet damage | BA staff arrested over jet damage |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Two British Airways (BA) ground staff were arrested after an aeroplane was damaged at Heathrow Airport in west London, police have said. | |
The pair, 54 and 49, were questioned over an allegation that a baggage truck was driven into a BA jet on 9 January, BBC correspondent Ben Ando said. | |
He said the incident was not believed to be terrorism related. | |
The pair have been released on bail. A BA spokeswoman said they had been suspended while the inquiry continues. | |
The Airbus A321 jet is currently being examined by BA engineers. | |
The 80 passengers due to fly on the plane had to be put on another flight. | |
'Catastrophic decompression' | |
Mr Ando said a police source had described the damage as a gash to the fuselage. | |
"The damage was spotted by other members of ground crew before the plane took off," he said. | |
"Had it got into the air with this damage it is difficult to know what could have happened - the worst case could have been a catastrophic decompression of the plane causing it to crash. | |
"On the other hand something more controlled could have taken place - perhaps there was no real damage at all. | |
'Without prejudice' | 'Without prejudice' |
"Until the engineers complete their checks it is difficult to know what could have happened." | |
The 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. | "They were both questioned by the police and released on bail pending further inquiries. |
"It would therefore be inappropriate to give further details. | "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." | "The two staff members have been given a precautionary suspension, without prejudice, while the police carry out their investigation." |