What began as an ordinary long-haul flight from the US to the UK quickly turned into a jaw-dropping aviation incident.
A British Airways jet heading for London experienced an unusual mechanical failure just moments after leaving the runway, raising eyebrows but ultimately ending without harm.
Wheel Detaches Shortly After Take-Off in Las Vegas
The incident happened on Monday night as a British Airways Airbus A350-1000 lifted off from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.
Shortly after take-off, one of the aircraft’s rear wheels appeared to detach and fall away from the plane.
Video footage shared by flight-tracking service Flightradar captured sparks flashing near the right main landing gear before the tyre dropped onto the airfield below.
Flight Continues Safely to London
Despite the dramatic start, the aircraft, operating as Flight BA274, continued its journey across the Atlantic.
After roughly nine hours in the air, the plane landed at London Heathrow without any further issues.
Flightradar later described the arrival as “safe and uneventful,” easing concerns that the missing wheel had affected the aircraft’s ability to complete the flight.
Investigations Begin as Cause Remains Unclear
At this stage, the reason the wheel came loose is still unknown.
British Airways confirmed it is cooperating fully with authorities as investigations get underway.
A spokesperson for the airline stressed that safety remains its top priority and said the company is supporting efforts to determine exactly what went wrong.
Airport Confirms No Injuries or Damage
Officials at Harry Reid International Airport also acknowledged the incident, confirming they were aware of the aircraft’s departure and its safe landing in London.
The detached tyre was recovered from the airfield, and airport authorities reported no injuries and no damage to airport infrastructure as a result of the incident.
Wider Airbus Issues Add to Industry Scrutiny
The episode comes at a time when Airbus has already been under pressure due to recent technical issues affecting other aircraft models.
Back in November, the manufacturer issued a large-scale recall of its A320 family of jets after discovering a software problem.
That recall impacted more than half of the global A320 fleet and triggered widespread delays and cancellations around the world.
Software Recall and Supply Chain Concerns
The software fix itself was relatively straightforward, mainly involving a return to earlier systems.
Even so, the disruption stretched across multiple continents, affecting airlines in North and South America, Europe, India, and New Zealand.
Only weeks later, Airbus identified another issue involving the quality of metal panels supplied for a limited number of A320 aircraft.
The company said the matter was linked to supplier quality control rather than safety and confirmed that the problem had been contained.
What Comes Next for the British Airways Jet?
Attention now turns to the investigation into the missing wheel on the British Airways flight.
While the aircraft landed safely and no one was hurt, aviation authorities will be keen to understand how the wheel detached and whether any preventative measures are needed.
For now, the incident stands as a rare but striking reminder of how closely the aviation industry monitors safety, even when flights end without incident.
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