British Airways plane loses wheel after takeoff from Vegas. See video.
Livestream captures wheel detach from British Airways plane during takeoff.
A British Airways plane lost a wheel this week as it ascended into the sky after departing Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, British Airways Flight 274 left the airport around 8.45 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 26. The aircraft, an Airbus A350-1000, traveled to Heathrow Airport in London, where it landed the following day.
In an emailed statement, British Airways said: “Safety and security underpins everything we do and we’re supporting the authorities with their investigation.”
Watch wheel detach from British Airways plane during takeoff
Though it’s not clear how many people were on board, the plane can accommodate 375 to 400 passengers, according to Airbus' website.
Harry Reid International Airport told USA TODAY in a written statement that the wheel was retrieved from the airport's airfield.
What happened?
Flightradar24, an aviation tracking service, reported the aircraft lost its right rear landing gear wheel. Airbus’ website states that the main landing gears include six wheels. The plane is designed to function even if one of the landing wheels is flat or missing. The incident occurred as the landing gear was being retracted.
Sparks were seen coming from the aircraft’s right main landing gear about 40 seconds after beginning its departure. No one was injured from the falling wheel, the outlet reported.
Flightradar24 captured the ordeal on the outlet’s automated live stream.
The outlet also reported the plane spent nine hours and 17 minutes in the air before landing in London.
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected]
