Bomb threat aborts take off and evacuates terminal

BRITISH AIRWAYS BOEING 787-9 G-ZBKN (MSN 38630)

A British Airways pilot abruptly halted take-off on the runway when his fully loaded aircraft received a dire bomb threat. Air Traffic Control notified the pilots of an email claiming a bomb was on board their aircraft. Shortly thereafter, further confusion arose as another email claimed a bomb was in the terminal, prompting an evacuation.

The Bermuda (BDA/TXKF) to London Heathrow (LHR/EGLL) Boeing 777-200ER service was halted, with passengers buckled in their seats. The captain issued a 7700 squawk – the emergency signal – leading air traffic control to revoke the plane's final take-off approval.

Flight BA158, with the callsign Speedbird One Five Bravo, was discontinued, and passengers were quickly directed onto the tarmac while police and counter-terrorism officers searched the aircraft.


Bermuda officials sealed off roads within a six-mile radius of the airport as a state of panic set in.
An insider reported, "No chances were being taken. The BA jet was specifically mentioned in a bomb threat according to the email received by the authorities. The only option was to cancel the take-off.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: British Airways

Code: BA/BAW

Aircraft: Boeing 777-236

Registration: G-VIIN

Serial Number: 29319

Engines: 2 X GE GE90-85B

First Flew: 7th August 1998

Age: 25.9 Years