Airbus A350 Wheel Loss: Passengers Safe After Mid-Air Incident

British Airways Airbus A350-1000 Lands Safely after Wheel Detaches During takeoff

A British Airways Airbus A350-1000 successfully completed a transatlantic flight to London Heathrow after losing a wheel shortly after departing from las vegas on Monday, January 28, 2026. The incident,captured on camera,sparked concern but ultimately resulted in a safe landing for the hundreds of passengers on board.

Dramatic Departure from Las Vegas

British Airways flight BA274 was in the initial phase of its journey from Harry Reid International airport (LAS) in Las Vegas to london Heathrow Airport (LHR) when the incident occurred. The aircraft began its takeoff roll from runway 26R at 9:05 PM local time. Approximately 40 seconds into the flight, witnesses observed sparks emanating from the right main landing gear.

According to reports, “As the aircraft was taking off from the airport and retracting the landing gear, the right rear wheel on the right main landing gear detached from the aircraft and crashed.” Fortunately, initial reports confirm that no individuals on the ground sustained injuries as an inevitable result of the falling debris.

Did you know? – Aircraft wheels are designed with multiple fail-safes. Losing one wheel doesn’t automatically ground a plane, as long as the remaining gear can safely support the aircraft during landing.

Continued Flight and Safe Landing

Despite the loss of the wheel, the flight crew made the calculated decision to continue to London. A senior official stated that the crew conducted a thorough assessment of the situation and determined the aircraft remained safe to fly. The pilot afterward increased the cruising altitude to approximately 39,000 feet, adhering to the planned flight path across the Atlantic Ocean.

After a flight duration of 9 hours and 17 minutes, the Airbus A350-1000 landed safely at Heathrow Airport without further incident. The aircraft is equipped with six main landing gear, arranged in three pairs, and the missing component was identified as the rearmost, outer wheel on the right main landing gear.

Pro tip – Pilots undergo extensive training to handle in-flight emergencies, including scenarios involving landing gear malfunctions. They practice decision-making and procedures to ensure passenger safety.

Factors Influencing the Decision

Experts suggest several factors likely contributed to the decision to continue the flight. “Operational factors such as aircraft performance, fuel condition and redundancy in the landing gear system likely influenced the decision,” one analyst noted. The Airbus A350-1000 is designed with multiple layers of safety redundancy, allowing it to maintain stability and control even with a compromised landing gear configuration.

Why did this happen? The right rear wheel of the right main landing gear detached during takeoff from Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport. Who was involved? The incident involved the crew and passengers of british Airways flight BA274, as well as air traffic control and emergency services in Las Vegas and London. What occurred? A wheel separated from the aircraft shortly after takeoff, but the flight continued to London.How did it end? The Airbus A350-1000 landed safely at London Heathrow Airport after a 9-hour and 17-minute flight.

The incident highlights the robust engineering and operational protocols in place within the aviation industry, ensuring passenger safety even in unexpected circumstances.

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Reader question – What are your thoughts on the crew’s decision to continue the flight? Do you think it was the right call, or should they have turned back? Share your perspective!