Heathrow, UNITED KINGDOM
VIJAY SHAH via WGN and ITV News
A British Airways pilot has been hailed a hero after a mechanical emergency forced him to make a stop at the UK’s Heathrow International Airport, potentially saving hundreds of passengers’ lives, Chicago-based news station WGNTV reports.
Flight BA295 was en route to Chicago, U.S.A. and was two hours into the flight when a malfunction developed with the landing wheels, causing the pilot to take evasive measures and return the plane back to Heathrow, it was reported. The pilot was able to land the stricken plane without any problem after two of the five sets of landing gear broke down, having notified everyone on board.
As a safety precaution to prevent the plane from tipping over due to the instability caused by the damaged wheels, passengers were asked to exit from the rear first. Several of them commented that the experience left them feeling scared but relieved that the pilot, who is currently unnamed in reports, acted calmly in dealing with the emergency.
The UK’s ITV News further reported that Heathrow was forced to temporarily close down the affected runway. Passengers experienced delays as only one runway was still in use. The airport apologised on Twitter for the inconvenience to travellers and advised holiday-makers to check with their airline before leaving for the airport.
British Airways has not yet released a statement regarding the BA295 incident.
SOURCES:
Facebook, Facebook Inc. https://www.facebook.com/topic/British-Airways/102805706422563?source=whfrt&position=1&trqid=6245885814059875889
“British Airways flight bound for Chicago makes emergency landing” – WGN Web Desk, WGNtv.com/WGN/Tribune Broadcasting (30 January 2016) http://wgntv.com/2016/01/30/british-airways-flight-bound-for-chicago-makes-emergency-landing/
“British Airways plane diverts to Heathrow for ‘technical reasons’ ” – ITV News/ITV plc (30 January 2016) http://www.itv.com/news/2016-01-30/british-airways-plane-turns-back-to-heathrow-for-technical-reasons/
IMAGE CREDIT:
“File:Ba b747-400 g-bnle arp.jpg” – Adrian Pingstone, Wikimedia Commons (21 October 2007) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ba_b747-400_g-bnle_arp.jpg
halfeatenmind.wordpress.com 
Apparently Prince Andrew was on that flight and refused to get back on board.
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