The pilot of the Boeing 777 is one of British Airways’ most experienced captains. Peter Burkill, 43, a father of three who has been with the company for more than 20 years, was praised by BA last night as the air crash investigation got under way.

“I would like to pay tribute to the 16 crew of the BA038 led by Captain Peter Burkill,” said Willie Walsh, BA’s chief executive. “The flight crew showed great courage and professionalism in landing the aircraft safely. All of the crew did a fantastic job evacuating the 136 passengers. They are all heroes and everyone at British Airways is very proud of them.”

The investigation will focus on what caused an apparent total loss of power in the final minute of the flight from Beijing. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch will publish an initial report into the crash within 48 hours and may make immediate safety recommendations to Boeing and BA.

Air crashes are almost always caused by a combination of circumstances. Even when a technical failure is found to be the key factor, human error usually plays a part in turning a problem into a full-scale emergency.

Yesterday’s was the most serious crash in the 12-year history of the Boeing 777. No passengers or crew have been killed on that model of aircraft, even though more than 670 are in service around the world.

The aircraft that crashed was only six years old and was one of 43 in BA’s fleet, which may have to be withdrawn for checks in the next few days. Investigators will try to determine why both engines appeared to have failed, leaving the pilots without enough power to make it to the runway. They landed just inside the perimeter fence, more than half a mile from the usual touchdown zone. Twin-engine aircraft occasionally lose one engine but can continue safely and land normally on the other.

A BA pilot said that possible causes were a lack of fuel or a fuel-pump problem. Engines are sometimes destroyed on approach by birds flying into them, but this usually causes a loud bang and no passenger reported hearing that.

David Learmount, safety editor of Flight International magazine, said: “There appears to have been a massive reduction in power at a very late stage. The pilots had no time to warn anyone and all their focus was on getting the plane down. They seem to have been going very slowly and were extremely lucky that they made it over the perimeter fence.”

David King, Chief Inspector of Air Accidents, said last night: “At present, my staff are involved in preliminary inquiries to establish the known facts of the accident. I will release an initial report within 48 hours. The cause(s) of the accident can take some time to establish but I will also release a preliminary report within 30 days.The final report may take considerably longer but I also have a duty to take any action we consider necessary as soon as we become aware of any safety-related aspects.”

Captain Burkill, his wife, Maria, and their children are a well-travelled family. They enjoy up to four holidays a year — from skiing in Bulgaria to sunbathing in the Caribbean. Their youngest son, Troy, 2, has already clocked up 25,000 air miles.

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