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A Life in Limbo

Factual: Life Stories

Clare English talks to people who have placed their futures on hold

Clare English talks to people whose lives are on hold, often because of factors beyond their control.

A Life in Limbo: Series 2

A Life in Limbo: Series 2: Episode 3

Episode 3

Series 2

BBC Radio Scotland - A Life in Limbo, Series 2, Episode 3

Clare English talks to Peter Burkill, who saved 152 lives when his plane crash landed.

Clare English talks to former British Airways pilot Peter Burkill about why his career is finished, even through he saved 152 lives when his plane crash landed.

Peter Burkill is a former British Airways pilot who was flying a Boeing 777 from Beijing to Heathrow in January 2008. Both engines failed just as the plane was coming into land and the plane began to plummet to earth.

With just 35 seconds to avert death and disaster over Heathrow, his instinctive adjustment to the flaps on the wings of the Boeing was a stroke of genius. He managed to guide the plane to safety on the ground, saving 152 lives, and was labelled a hero at the time. However, in the following months, rumours about the accident spread and Peter tells Clare English that his reputation was damaged, even though the air crash investigation cleared him of any blame.

The crash was a defining moment in his life, but its aftermath led to the devastating end of his 20 year career.

BBC Radio Scotland

Clare English talks to people whose futures are on hold due to uncertain events in their lives

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