Just moments before take-off, pilot mistakenly triggered emergency slide, incurring a hefty £50,000 cost for British Airways.

A British Airways captain left passengers startled when an unexpected incident unfolded on the BA886 flight bound for Romania.

Just moments before take-off, the pilot mistakenly triggered the emergency slide, causing not only a significant delay but also incurring a hefty £50,000 cost for the airline.

As the morning sun cast its glow on the tarmac, passengers settled into their seats, unaware that they were about to experience an unusual episode. The captain's inadvertent activation of the inflatable escape slide brought the flight to an abrupt halt, prompting emergency services to converge on Gate 24E at Heathrow around 9.55am.

The Sun reported that the captain, who swiftly found himself relieved of flying duties, reportedly failed to disarm the plane door while passing documents to the crew. The oversight led to the deployment of the emergency slide, causing a cascade of unexpected consequences for the airline and the awaiting passengers.

Passengers were left in limbo for over three hours, waiting for a replacement aircraft and pilot to continue their journey. The incident has raised eyebrows within aviation circles, with one source describing it as "beyond a rookie error" and labeling it as "totally baffling."

"If he had disarmed the door, the slide would not have been deployed," noted a source quoted by The Sun, emphasising the critical nature of the overlooked procedure.

The repercussions of this blunder go beyond mere inconvenience, as British Airways faces both financial repercussions and a temporary dent in its reputation for this unintended spectacle on the runway.

British Airways and Heathrow have been approached for comment on this unusual incident. The airline, known for its commitment to safety and efficiency, will undoubtedly conduct a thorough investigation into the incident to prevent a recurrence.

In the wake of this unexpected delay, passengers and aviation enthusiasts alike are left pondering the intricacies of pre-flight procedures and the importance of meticulous attention to detail in ensuring smooth operations.