Birmingham Airport has initiated a formal investigation following a frightening incident where a lift transporting an airline crew suddenly dropped, forcing an emergency exit and causing a flight delay.
What Happened at BHX?
An eyewitness reported that on Sunday, December 1, a group of flight crew members were inside a lift known as 'Lift 2' when it unexpectedly fell. The witness claimed the lift descended 'several floors' before coming to a stop. This forced the crew to exit the lift in an area not designated for normal operations, which subsequently triggered an alarm.
Contrasting Accounts and Immediate Impact
While the eyewitness described a significant drop, Birmingham Airport (BHX) has stated the lift experienced only a 'small drop'. Regardless of the scale, the incident had immediate consequences. A member of the cabin crew reported feeling unwell following the ordeal.
This directly led to the delay of a passenger flight bound for Lanzarote, as the affected crew member did not feel fit to fly. The airport confirmed it is not aware of any physical injuries resulting from the incident.
Airport Response and Safety Review
In response to the event, Birmingham Airport has pledged to reissue safety procedures to ensure correct routes are followed during similar emergencies in the future. A spokesperson for the airport said: "We're aware of an incident which we are investigating, but we are not aware of any first aid being requested or required at the time."
The spokesperson added, "We are in contact with our airline partner to better understand what happened, whilst enquiring about our airport colleagues involved. Safety of all our colleagues and customers is a number one priority." The investigation aims to determine the exact cause of the malfunction and prevent any recurrence.
