Passenger plane loses wheel moments after takeoff from Las Vegas

A startling aviation incident happened on Monday night when a British Airways passenger jet lost one of its landing gear wheels shortly following the departure from Las Vegas, sending shockwaves across social media after the clip surfaced online.

A British Airways flight traveling from Las Vegas to London experienced a mechanical issue shortly following the departure when one of its landing gear wheels detached during ascent.

Sparks Seen as Aircraft Climbs

Flight BA274 had just taken off from Harry Reid International Airport en route to the UK at almost 8:45 p.m. Monday when sparks could appear flying out of the right landing gear. As the plane began to ascend, it retracted its landing gear, just for one of the wheels to detach and drop off onto the runway.

Footage circulating online features the aircraft lifting into the night sky as the wheel getting separated and falling toward the airfield below, initiating widespread attention across social media platforms.

Flight Continues to London

Despite the alarming moment, the aircraft did not divert. The Federal Aviation Administration later confirmed the flight continued across the Atlantic and “landed safely” at London Heathrow Airport nine hours later. There were no reported injuries or property damage connected to the incident.

Airport authorities told PEOPLE that the detached wheel was later recovered from the airport’s airfield.

Investigation Underway

“Safety and security underpins everything we do, and we’re supporting the authorities with their investigation,” a British Airways spokesperson told The Post.

The FAA confirmed that the incident is under investigation to find what caused the wheel to get detached during takeoff.

FAQs:

Q1. What happened to the British Airways flight in Las Vegas?
A wheel detached from the aircraft shortly after the takeoff. The plane continued flying and landed safely in London.

Q2. Was anyone injured during the incident?
No injuries were reported on the ground or onboard. Officials also confirmed no property damage.