People who live around Heathrow are demanding that the Government and BAA, the airport’s owner, abandon plans for a third runway in the wake of Thursday’s crash.

They claim that the incident exposes the risks of allowing the number of flights to double and creating a new flight path over tens of thousands more homes.

Julia Welchman, who works under the flight path at Kew Gardens in southwest London, said: “Fear of a crash has already undermined our mental health. We feel helpless under BAA and the Department for Transport.” Susan Kramer, the Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park, said: “No one ever wants to see a plane crash but if there is a silver lining perhaps it’s that BAA and the Government will learn respect for local residents and that the expansion is just a step too far.

“The crash is a reminder that people who live under the flight path do face risks that other people don’t. If that plane had had difficulties two minutes earlier then, God forbid, it would have been a disaster.

“Surely that risk should earn local residents some respect. More flights mean the statistical probability of a crash is increased. If you were building a major aiport today you wouldn’t build it in a built-up area like Heathrow. We’re not trying to scaremonger but we want to be treated like grown ups. We have a right to a reasonable quality of life.”

The crash investigation may also have consequences for the future operation of the Boeing 777, which accounts for half of BA’s long-haul fleet.

The Boeing 747, BA’s other long-haul aircraft, has four engines but the 777 has only two.

Some airlines, including Virgin Atlantic, have previously said that they would run only four-engine aircraft on long-haul flights because they made passengers feel safer.

If one engine on a 777 fails, it has only one more to get it down safely. A 747 can fly with even three failed engines.

Safety regulators may have to revise the dispensation given to the 777 which allows it to operate up to three hours flying time from a safe landing place.

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