Passengers Scream After Recorded Ditching Warning Sounds

British Airways had to apologize in writing to passengers of its Miami to London flight last Friday, after a pilot reportedly hit a wrong button and triggered an automated PA system warning to prepare for ditching in the Atlantic.

Duncan Farquharson, an engineer from London, told the Telegraph he wasn't sure if the flight crew realized just how scary their mistake was for passengers, saying, "Imagining yourself plunging towards a cold, watery grave in the middle of the Atlantic is a pretty horrific thought but they seemed very blasé about it."

Michelle Lord, another passenger, told the paper, "People were terrified, we all thought we were going to die. They said the pilot hit the wrong button because they were so close together."

The Telegraph reports the warning prepare for an emergency water landing came over the speakers about 3am, while the plane was at 35,000'. British Airways reportedly told the paper it is sorry for an passengers who experienced "undue distress."

FMI: www.britishairways.com