Slovakia plane crash kills three as British Airways flight narrowly avoids disaster over London

A small aircraft crashed in the village of Očová, Slovakia, killing the 48‑year‑old pilot, a 38‑year‑old passenger and a minor child. Police said the plane emitted thick black smoke before descending into the premises of a local company, and rescue teams confirmed that all on board suffered fatal injuries.

Separately, a British Airways Airbus A320 en route from Düsseldorf to Heathrow experienced a sudden loss of altitude over London, dropping about 600 metres before the captain physically intervened to regain control. The crew initially issued a pan‑pan call, later upgraded to a Mayday. The aircraft landed safely, avoiding a potential hull‑loss incident that could have affected up to 186 passengers. British authorities are investigating the cause of the near‑miss.