The Incredible Story of a British Airways Pilot Who Survived Being Ejected from a Plane for 20 Minutes

Ogden and Rogers, exhausted and beginning to suffer from frostbite and injuries, were still holding on. Once the plane stopped, Lancaser was carefully brought back inside the cockpit.

It was only then that the crew realized: he was still alive.

Miraculous Survival and Aftermath

Lancaster was rushed to Southampton General Hospital. Despite the brutal exposure to wind and cold, and the immense mechanical strain on his body, his injuries — while serious — were not fatal.

He suffered:

Frostbite, especially to his fingers and hands.

Fractures, including to his elbow, wrist, and thumb.

Shock and bruising.

Ogden himself sustained frostbite and shoulder injuries while clinging to his captain amid gale‑force winds.

Remarkably, Lancaster fully recovered and — in true testament to his passion for flying — returned to duty just five months later. He continued flying commercially for British Airways and later for another airline until his retirement in the late 2000s.

Why It Happened: The Investigation

An investigation by the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) uncovered the root cause of the catastrophe: improper maintenance. Less than two days before the flight, the cockpit windscreen had been replaced. However, the wrong bolts — slightly too small and not designed to withstand pressurization forces at altitude — were used. This seemingly small error led directly to the panel blowing out under pressure.

Maintenance procedures were subsequently reviewed and updated throughout the industry to prevent similar failures in the future.

Recognition and Legacy

The bravery and quick action of the crew did not go unnoticed. The cabin crew members — Ogden, Rogers, and others — were honoured with the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air for their extraordinary heroism. The incident also became one of the defining moments in aviation safety history, highlighted in documentaries and safety training discussions around the world.

A Story of Human Spirit and Teamwork

The story of Flight 5390 is more than just a remarkable episode of survival. It highlights:

Human courage under pressure — individuals acting selflessly in moments of crisis.

The importance of training and professionalism — every member of the crew executed their role under unimaginable stress.

The fragility — and resilience — of human life.

Passengers who witnessed the event described the scene as surreal, almost cinematic — one recalled seeing “a body hanging out of the window, with crew holding on” as the aircraft continued its descent.

Yet, for those involved, it was a testament to their training, instincts, and sheer will to survive.