BA Boeing 777 Crashes At Heathrow Airport

Thursday 17th January 2008

Reports are coming in of an emergency landing by a BA Boeing 777 at Heathrow Airport. Pictures and news across the media are showing the aircraft sitting on the runway at Heathrow Airport with no undercarriage with reports indicating that there were 136 passengers onboard.

Sky News have interviewed some of the passengers onboard who claim that they had no indication that there was a problem on descent into the airport which is a contrast to eyewitness reports from the ground who claim the aircraft was making strange noises and descending far too quickly. A taxi driver who was underneath the aircraft as it approached the runway felt it may hit his taxi and explained that he winced as it came down. Apparently as the aircraft touched down the wheels collapsed with the entire aircraft slamming into the concrete on its fuselage, one of the wheels can be clearly seen lying in the field by the airport.

This is the first reported accident involving a Boeing 777 in its history and very unusual for a world-renowned airline like British Airways. It appears that the aircraft only just reached the runway in weather conditions that have been described as not a problem for the pilots. It appears that there may have been a last-minute technical problem as the aircraft reached the runway as it appears that the emergency services were not even braced for a problem.

Estimates currently indicate that there may have been a power loss or engine shutdown as they approached the runway or possibly even the striking of a flock of birds however at the moment this is just speculation. It appears that at the point of touchdown the aircraft actually hit the ground in a field before the runway starts, just missing a busy road.

According to Sky News flights from Luton and Gatwick are experiencing delays on Heathrow-bound flights, so if you are travelling to any airport that has Heathrow-bound flights we suggest calling ahead to check if you will be experiencing delays.

For more information please visit Sky News