Scots Pilot Awarded For Saving 398 Lives
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Scots Pilot Awarded For Saving 398 Lives
In amidst this doom and gloom, it gives me great pleasure to be able to post upbeat items such as this ... and to add my own congratulations to Captain Hagan and his crew.
From The Scotsman:
From The Scotsman:
Scots pilot honoured for saving 398 passengers
John Staples
A SCOTTISH pilot who fought off a passenger who tried to hijack the airliner he was flying will receive a prestigious bravery award today.
Captain William Hagan managed to overpower the man, who had grabbed the controls of a British Airways Boeing 747, sending it into a 10,00ft dive.
The assailant, Kenyan student Paul Mukoni, forced his way into the aircraft’s cabin during the journey from Gatwick to Nairobi last December.
Captain Hagan struggled with Mukoni and gouged his eyes to disable him while his co-pilot struggled to control the plane, which was carrying 398 passengers.
Now he is to receive an award from the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADR) at a ceremony in London today.
The pilot, whose wife and three children were on board during the flight, will be among ten recipients to be presented with honours by the Duchess of Gloucester during the occasion at the Savoy Hotel.
Mr Hagan said: “It is a privilege to be honoured in this way. It is a prestigious event and I am glad to be part of it.”
Recalling the incident, Mr Hagan added: “I only did what I had to do, as did the rest of my staff. It was quite an ordeal. We are trained to deal with those types of incidents, but it is a pretty cold feeling when you face it in reality.”
Brian Breade, RADR award organiser, said: “The judges thought he was very brave in saving the lives of the passengers on board his plane.”
Earlier this year, Captain Hagan received a medal from the British Gold Heroes Awards for people over 50.
John Staples
A SCOTTISH pilot who fought off a passenger who tried to hijack the airliner he was flying will receive a prestigious bravery award today.
Captain William Hagan managed to overpower the man, who had grabbed the controls of a British Airways Boeing 747, sending it into a 10,00ft dive.
The assailant, Kenyan student Paul Mukoni, forced his way into the aircraft’s cabin during the journey from Gatwick to Nairobi last December.
Captain Hagan struggled with Mukoni and gouged his eyes to disable him while his co-pilot struggled to control the plane, which was carrying 398 passengers.
Now he is to receive an award from the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADR) at a ceremony in London today.
The pilot, whose wife and three children were on board during the flight, will be among ten recipients to be presented with honours by the Duchess of Gloucester during the occasion at the Savoy Hotel.
Mr Hagan said: “It is a privilege to be honoured in this way. It is a prestigious event and I am glad to be part of it.”
Recalling the incident, Mr Hagan added: “I only did what I had to do, as did the rest of my staff. It was quite an ordeal. We are trained to deal with those types of incidents, but it is a pretty cold feeling when you face it in reality.”
Brian Breade, RADR award organiser, said: “The judges thought he was very brave in saving the lives of the passengers on board his plane.”
Earlier this year, Captain Hagan received a medal from the British Gold Heroes Awards for people over 50.
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and so why isn't the first officer also being given an award ? after all it was him who rescued the plane having been attacked by the hijacker. (capt hagan in rest area at time). no upfront, this was a two man effort.
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The Guvnor
I am sure that Captain Hagan will be delighted to receive such a plaudit from an aviation icon like yourself. Undoubtedly it will really make his day to be recognised in this small way by an airline industry magnate of your standing.
I am sure that Captain Hagan will be delighted to receive such a plaudit from an aviation icon like yourself. Undoubtedly it will really make his day to be recognised in this small way by an airline industry magnate of your standing.
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I think that The Queen should have a little something for the Captain.
After all, 20 years of loyal silence as an MP equals a knighthood. £1 million to the party funds equals a barony. 20 years pushing files around Whitehall equals an MBE.
Come on Ma'am - have a word with that nice Mr. Blair next time he is in the country.
After all, 20 years of loyal silence as an MP equals a knighthood. £1 million to the party funds equals a barony. 20 years pushing files around Whitehall equals an MBE.
Come on Ma'am - have a word with that nice Mr. Blair next time he is in the country.
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Just for the record, to expand on Skua's post,
Capt William Hagan AND Senior First Officer Philip M. Watson were awarded 'THE HUGH GORDON-BURGE MEMORIAL AWARD' For an outstanding contribution to the saving of an aircraft.
I'd have thought that a prestigious award from one's peers would count more than the others.
As an aside, one of my dining companions was privvy to the actual excursions/flightpath of the aircraft. Young Phil did a superb job of saving the aircraft from a situation well outside the usual airline training on UA recovery.
Cheers
Capt William Hagan AND Senior First Officer Philip M. Watson were awarded 'THE HUGH GORDON-BURGE MEMORIAL AWARD' For an outstanding contribution to the saving of an aircraft.
I'd have thought that a prestigious award from one's peers would count more than the others.
As an aside, one of my dining companions was privvy to the actual excursions/flightpath of the aircraft. Young Phil did a superb job of saving the aircraft from a situation well outside the usual airline training on UA recovery.
Cheers
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Thought the same myself. Anyway whether he be from Scotland or Northern Ireland he and his crew did a bloody good job. I think the bottom line is that it took a celt to sort it out!!
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At the IFALPA Conference in Jamaica in Apr. 2001, all THREE from the flightdeck, Capt William Hagan, F/O Philip Watson and F/O Roger Webb received the "Polaris Award" ( the highest IFALPA award, for outstanding airmanship and heroic contribution in saving pax. and airplane.
Bravo.
Bravo.
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... and from today's Scotsman... Many happy returns, Capt Hagan!
Hero pilot honoured
A PILOT who fought a cockpit intruder to save hundreds of passengers - including rock star Bryan Ferry and millionairess Jemima Khan - was honoured at an awards ceremony yesterday.
British Airways Captain William Hagan, who is 54 today, was one of 12 people who received a Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation People of the Year 2001 Award at the Savoy Hotel in London. The Glaswegian was chosen in recognition of his bravery in overcoming a passenger who went berserk during a flight from London Gatwick to Nairobi in December last year.
The passenger attempted to seize the flight controls, and in doing so disengaged the autopilot, which caused the plane to plunge 10,000ft.
Capt Hagan said: "I was just thinking about the job, and about how to get him off the controls. "
A PILOT who fought a cockpit intruder to save hundreds of passengers - including rock star Bryan Ferry and millionairess Jemima Khan - was honoured at an awards ceremony yesterday.
British Airways Captain William Hagan, who is 54 today, was one of 12 people who received a Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation People of the Year 2001 Award at the Savoy Hotel in London. The Glaswegian was chosen in recognition of his bravery in overcoming a passenger who went berserk during a flight from London Gatwick to Nairobi in December last year.
The passenger attempted to seize the flight controls, and in doing so disengaged the autopilot, which caused the plane to plunge 10,000ft.
Capt Hagan said: "I was just thinking about the job, and about how to get him off the controls. "
ENTREPPRUNEUR
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Whatever had it got to do with the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation People? Was he disabled before, during or afterwards?
By the way I agree - moderators do something constructive- delete these silly guvnor imposters.
By the way I agree - moderators do something constructive- delete these silly guvnor imposters.
Uncle Pete
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Captain William Hagan and Senior First Officer Philip M Watson were awarded the Hugh Gordon-Burge Memorial Award for "an outstanding contribution to the saving of an aircraft" at the Guildhall on 24th October.
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You think so?
Do people really suppose you can keep the door locked all the time? That pilots don't need refreshments bringing forward, that they never need to nip out for a quick pee?
Do people really suppose you can keep the door locked all the time? That pilots don't need refreshments bringing forward, that they never need to nip out for a quick pee?
