Plane Down at Heathrow

[Ian Anderson]

BBC News - 'Flames coming out' of Heathrow emergency landing plane

Happened this morning - everyone out safe but alarming as local news is putting it down to bird strike

Ian

 

[Mark]

Latest news suggests engine failure, not bird strike. Thank Heaven everyone is OK

 

[David Morton]

What still puzzles me is he was very close to the Stansted overhead. The QRH for Engine Failure on an Airbus A320 type usually states "Land at the nearest suitable Airport" unless he didn't have an engine failure at that stage. Stansted was landing 23 and the approach is not affected by built up areas.Instead he landed 27R at LHR and crossed over all of London.
Still, they are all at home this evening instead of in a field somewhere so their skills seem to have paid off.

 

[Stephen Ducker]

Good point David, it looks as though they thought it was a cowling only problem ? Then they had issues on both sides including the fire/smoke on the rh. I guess we're all guilty of speculation & should wait for the CAA report. The important news is everyone's ok !

 

[Ian Anderson]

Reports coming out that the engine covers were not fastened.

One blew off and ruptured a fuel pipe near the fuel pump.

Ok so who is responsible? Sure the mechanic should have done up the latches but are the pilots also not supposed to do a walk around pre flight inspection and check covers and latches?

Ian