What caused the Kegworth air disaster, when was the plane crash and who were the victims?

A Boeing 737 carrying 126 people plummeted into the Leicestershire countryside. Here we reflect on the disaster on its 30th anniversary.

When was the disaster and what caused it?

The disaster struck shortly after the plane took off from Heathrow at 19:52, bound for Belfast International Airport.

After climbing to 28,300 feet, a blade detached from the fan of the left port. A pounding noise was suddenly heard, along with severe vibrations.

Smoke began pouring into the cabin through the ventilation system.

The flight was diverted to nearby East Midlands Airport at the suggestion of British Midland Airways Operations.

During the final approach to the airport, fuel was pumped into the damaged engine to maintain speed, which caused it to stop working and burst into flames.

Just before crossing the M1 motorway at 20:24:43, the plane's tail struck the ground and the aircraft bounced back into the air and over the motorway.

Knocking down trees and a lamp post, the plane then crashed onto the far embankment and broke into three pieces.

Remarkably, there were no cars or lorries travelling on that section of the motorway at the moment of the crash.

Who were the victims of the crash?

Of the 118 passengers on board, 39 were killed outright in the crash and eight died later of their injuries, for a total of 47 fatalities.

All eight members of the crew survived, but of the total 79 survivors, 74 suffered serious injuries.

Five firefighters also suffered minor injuries during the rescue operation.

A former Royal Marine was driving nearby when the crash happened. Graham Pearson helped passengers for over three hours.

He subsequently sued British Midland in 1998 and received £57,000 in damages (£95,000 today).

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