10/12/2025
The Pilot Who Was Sucked Out of a Plane—And Survived!
If you have a fear of flying, you might want to scroll past this one. But if you love stories of miraculous survival, this is the ultimate one. On June 10, 1990, British Airways Flight 5390 took off for a routine trip to Spain. Thirteen minutes later, a loud bang echoed through the cabin. The cockpit windscreen, which had been installed with bolts that were slightly too small, had blown out completely due to the pressure difference.
The sudden decompression sucked the captain, Tim Lancaster, halfway out of the aircraft at 17,000 feet. The image above recounts the terrifying scene: the captain was pinned against the outside of the plane by the 500 mph winds, enduring freezing temperatures of -17°C, while his legs were anchored inside the cockpit. A flight attendant, Nigel Ogden, instinctively grabbed Lancaster’s belt and held on for dear life.
For over 20 minutes, the crew held onto the captain’s frozen body, believing he was already dead but fearing that if they let go, his body would fly into the engine and destroy the plane. Against all odds, the co-pilot landed the plane safely. Miraculously, Captain Lancaster was alive. He suffered frostbite and fractures but made a full recovery. Incredibly, he returned to flying just five months later. It stands as a testament to the bravery of a crew that literally refused to let go.
Tell us: What is your worst travel story? (Hopefully, it’s just a lost luggage story!) ✈️🙏