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Pilot’s Prosthetic Arm Detaches During Flybe Landing

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A recently released accident report details what happened when a pilot’s artificial limb came loose during a landing in Belfast.

A pilot of a plane carrying 47 passengers had minor trouble landing an aircraft after his left artificial arm came out of its socket. Though the incident took place on February 12, a just-released accident report provides details of the event.

According to the BBC, a Flybe plane from Birmingham was about to land at George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD) when the 46-year-old pilot radioed the airport’s control center that his prosthetic limb had come loose. The accident report recounts how the captain chose not to hand the plane over to his co-pilot after losing control of a handle as the airliner was about to touch down. Given the time pressure, he instead used his right hand to operate the aircraft.

The plane subsequently landed safely, albeit it with somewhat of a bounce.

The report also indicated that going forward, the captain said he would be more careful to check that his limb is fastened more securely to his body, as well as discuss with future co-pilots what to do should the episode happen again.

Ian Baston, Flybe’s director of flight operations and safety, pointed out that the airline is an equal-opportunity employer, adding ,“The safety of our passengers and crew is our number one priority. This means that Flybe not only adheres to the Civil Aviation Authority’s strict requirements relating to the employment of staff with a reduced physical ability, but exceeds them to ensure that safety is never compromised.”

Meanwhile, the BBC also reports that the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority has medically cleared four arm amputees to fly commercial jets.

[Photo: Flybe]

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