British Airways Flight Circles 6 Times Before Landing Due to Stuck Wheels in Thrilling Turn of Events
A British Airways flight experienced an unexpected situation as it circled six times before safely landing in Edinburgh. Flight 1443, which took off from Edinburgh shortly after 11 a.m. on Monday, had a scheduled arrival in London approximately an hour later.
Flight Emergency Details
Just five minutes into the journey, the aircraft transmitted a squawk 7700 code, indicating a severe issue. According to a British Airways spokesperson, the pilots detected a technical problem with the landing gear, which was stuck in the down position. This situation prompted the Airbus A320 to turn back.
Circling Over Stirling
As the plane navigated back, it entered a holding pattern near Stirling. There, it circled six times, allowing for a safe approach back to the airport.
Safe Landing After Hour
Flight 1443 successfully landed at 12:16 p.m., exactly one hour after its departure. However, the incident caused significant disruptions at Edinburgh Airport. Operations at the airport were suspended until nearly 2 p.m. to manage the situation on the runway.
Impact on Other Flights
- Fifteen other flights destined for Edinburgh were diverted, mostly to Glasgow.
- A Qatar Airways flight was redirected to Manchester, located nearly 200 miles away.
- A KLM flight reversed course close to the eastern English coast before returning to Amsterdam.
Response from Airport Authorities
After the incident, passengers on the affected flight were transported to the terminal. The aircraft underwent inspection before being towed from the runway. Edinburgh Airport assured travelers that safety remains a priority and thanked them for their understanding.
A British Airways spokesperson expressed regret for the disruption and confirmed that teams were diligently working to resume regular operations.
Recent Airport Disruptions
This incident was not isolated. Just four days prior, Edinburgh Airport halted operations due to an IT problem affecting air traffic control. During that disruption, flights, including one from Delta Air Lines coming from New York, had to divert to Dublin.
