A Kingston University academic who survived a crash landing at Heathrow airport is to sue aircraft manufacturer Boeing for damages.

Paul Stafford, Head of Foundation for the Art and Design and Architecture faculty is among the ten passengers who have launched an action against Boeing, following the plane crash on January 17, 2008.

Mr Stafford was returning from a business trip to Beijing on behalf of the university when the engine of the plane failed to respond.

The plane crashed just two miles away from the Heathrow.

Mr Stafford told the BBC: “I remember smashing into the ground and the undercarriage being forced through the wing by the impact. I was convinced that I was going to die.”

Despite the violence of the crash, all the 156 passengers survived. Only one passenger was seriously injured and twelve others suffered from minor injuries.

Investigations have so far reported that ice formed in the plane’s fuel pipes, restricting the fuel flow to the engines causing the crash.

A report  from UK’s Air accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) will assess to what extent the design of Boeing’s engines, which are powered by Rolls Royce is to blame for the ice formation. (AAIB 2nd interim report, March 2009).

Although Mr Stafford would not speak to RiverOnline about his legal battle he earlier told the BBC: “I think about the crash every day and wish it had never happened to me.”

Paul Stafford and nine other plaintiffs represented by Stewarts Law,have lodged a lawsuit against Boeing in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, where the aircraft manufacturer Boeing is based.