Full Breakdown
British Airways Flight BA274 Loses Wheel Shortly After Takeoff from Las Vegas
1/28/2026, 9:27:43 PM
Incident Overview
On January 26, 2026, British Airways flight BA274, an Airbus A350-1000, experienced a significant mechanical failure shortly after departing from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. The aircraft lost its right rear wheel approximately 40 seconds after takeoff, as it was climbing and retracting its landing gear. The incident was captured on video by Flightradar24 and other sources, showing sparks emanating from the landing gear just before the wheel detached.
Flight Details
The flight, which was scheduled to travel from Las Vegas to London Heathrow Airport, took off at approximately 9:05 PM local time. Despite the loss of the wheel, the aircraft continued its journey and landed safely in London approximately nine hours later, at 2:28 PM GMT on January 27. The flight duration was recorded at 9 hours and 14 minutes, with the aircraft arriving 27 minutes earlier than scheduled.
Safety Response and Investigation
In response to the incident, British Airways issued a statement emphasizing their commitment to safety and security, noting that they are cooperating with authorities during the investigation. Harry Reid International Airport confirmed that there were no injuries reported among passengers or crew, nor was there any damage to airport property. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been notified, and the wheel was retrieved from the airfield for further examination.
Aircraft Specifications
The Airbus A350-1000 is designed with a robust landing gear system, featuring a total of 12 wheels, including six on each main landing gear. This design provides built-in redundancy, allowing the aircraft to operate safely even in the event of a single wheel failure. The aircraft involved in this incident, registered as G-XWBN, is relatively new, having been in service for only two years.
Criticism and Concerns
The incident has raised concerns regarding the maintenance and safety protocols of the Airbus A350-1000, particularly in light of recent technical issues faced by Airbus, including supplier quality problems and a global grounding of jets due to software vulnerabilities. Critics have pointed to the need for stringent safety checks and maintenance to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Official Statements
British Airways stated, "Safety and security underpins everything we do and we're supporting the authorities with their investigations." Meanwhile, Harry Reid International Airport confirmed their awareness of the incident and reiterated that there were no reported injuries or damage.
What's Next
Following the incident, the aircraft has been grounded for inspection and maintenance. An investigation into the cause of the wheel separation is expected to take place, focusing on the maintenance history of the landing gear assembly. Further updates from British Airways and aviation authorities are anticipated as the investigation progresses.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Safety and security underpins everything we do and we're supporting the authorities with their investigations.” — British Airways
- “The tyre was retrieved from the airfield, and there were no reported injuries or damage to airport property, the spokesperson added.” — Monika Bertaki, Harry Reid International Airport Spokeswoman
