Quick Read
- A British Airways Airbus A350-1000 (Flight BA274) lost a right rear landing gear wheel during takeoff from Las Vegas on January 26, 2026.
- Dramatic video footage of the wheel detaching mid-climb quickly went viral across social media and aviation news sites.
- Despite the malfunction, the aircraft completed its 9-hour, 17-minute flight to London Heathrow and landed safely, with no reported injuries or ground damage.
- British Airways confirmed it is supporting authorities, including the NTSB, in an ongoing investigation into the incident.
- The 2.7-year-old aircraft, G-XWBN, has not operated any flights since the incident and is undergoing inspection.
LAS VEGAS (Azat TV) – A British Airways Airbus A350-1000 aircraft lost one of its main landing gear wheels during takeoff from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on January 26, 2026. Dramatic video footage of the incident, showing the wheel detaching and falling to the ground, has since circulated widely online, prompting confirmation from regulators of an ongoing investigation into the malfunction. Despite the startling incident, the aircraft, Flight BA274, completed its transatlantic journey to London Heathrow and landed safely, with no reported injuries to passengers or crew.
Dramatic Takeoff Incident Captured on Video
The incident unfolded on the evening of January 26, 2026, as Flight BA274, an Airbus A350-1000 bound for London Heathrow, began its ascent from Las Vegas. As the aircraft climbed and its landing gear retracted, the right rear main landing gear wheel unexpectedly dislodged and fell to the ground near the airport. Livestream and tracking footage, notably from automated feeds like FlightRadar24, captured sparks near the landing gear just as the plane lifted off, followed by the dramatic sight of the wheel plummeting away from the aircraft.
The video quickly gained traction across social media platforms and aviation news sites, generating significant astonishment among viewers. Many shared the footage, highlighting the rare and unusual nature of a major aircraft component detaching mid-climb. Despite the highly visible malfunction, British Airways confirmed that the aircraft continued its planned journey across the Atlantic, flying for approximately nine hours and 17 minutes before making a safe landing at Heathrow Airport. Authorities reported no injuries to anyone on board and no damage to airport property at the departure site.
British Airways Confirms Investigation into A350 Malfunction
Following the incident, British Airways issued a statement, emphasizing its commitment to safety. “Safety and security underpin everything we do, and we’re supporting the authorities with their investigations,” an airline spokesperson told the media, including the BBC and Simple Flying. Harry Reid International Airport also acknowledged the event, confirming that the aircraft landed safely without further issues and that the detached tire was retrieved from the airfield. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been notified and is involved in the ongoing investigation to determine the precise cause of the wheel separation.
The aircraft involved, identified as G-XWBN, is a 2.7-year-old Airbus A350-1000, part of British Airways’ fleet of 18 such widebody jets. The A350-1000 typically features a total of 14 wheels: a two-wheel nose landing gear and two six-wheel main landing-gear bogies. According to tracking data from Flightradar24, the aircraft has not operated any further flights since the January 26 incident, indicating it is likely undergoing thorough inspection and maintenance as part of the investigation.
Aircraft Resilience and Safety Protocols
While incidents of component failure are rare, the safe conclusion of Flight BA274’s journey underscores the robust design and inherent redundancies built into modern commercial aircraft. The Airbus A350, like other large airliners, is designed to operate safely even with certain system or component failures, including the loss of a single wheel from its multi-wheel main landing gear. The crew’s training and adherence to emergency protocols are also critical in managing such situations effectively.
This incident contrasts with a similar event in 2024, where a United Airlines Boeing 777-200ER lost a tire during takeoff from San Francisco. In that instance, the detached tire caused significant damage on the ground, destroying an airport worker’s car and prompting increased oversight by the Federal Aviation Administration. Fortunately, in the British Airways case, there was no reported damage on the ground, further highlighting the specific circumstances and successful management of this particular malfunction.
The safe landing of British Airways Flight BA274, despite the dramatic loss of a landing gear wheel, serves as a testament to the advanced engineering of modern aircraft like the Airbus A350 and the rigorous training of flight crews. The ongoing investigation by authorities will be crucial in identifying the root cause of this unusual mechanical failure and informing future safety enhancements across the aviation industry.