Aviation expert Julian Bray tonight paid tribute to the way the passengers were guided to safety. He told the Press Association: "It was a textbook emergency evacuation under difficult conditions because that smoke was thick, black and acrid."
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| Passengers allegedly delayed emergency evacuation to collect hand luggage...
Scottish passenger describes panic as Las Vegas flight catches fire bbc.in/1g8Xa7F
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British Airways FL #BA 2276 #Boeing777 200 er on #fire Las Vegas Airport 159 pax 13 crew all safe catastrophic failure on left GE 90 jet engine.
Julian Bray Aviation Expert writes: A British Airways Boeing 777-200 [Reg: G-VIIO] aircraft has caught fire on the taxiway at Las Vegas (McCarran International) Airport, just before departing for London Gatwick
All 159 passengers and 13 crew evacuated by slide chutes, with 13 passengers sustaining minor injuries as the Boeing 777-200 (according to the Captain) suffered a catastrophic
failure of the left GE90 jet engine on take off which quickly spread to the cabin area. Enveloping the front section of the 777 aircraft in thick black, acrid smoke, and flames.
The fire, at McCarran Intenational Airport, Las Vegas USA started as British Airways Flight 2276 taxied along the airside apron and taxiway before departing for Gatwick London, UK.
159 passengers and 13 crew were on board the flight for Gatwick International Airport, London. Black smoke was seen coming from the Boeing 777-200 as it shuddered to a halt, and its emergency evacuation slides were then deployed.
Two passengers were initially transferred to hospital with minor injuries. Later reports put the number as 13, with smoke inhalation, respiratory problems being the main cause.
Disturbingly, reports suggest some passengers delayed their emergency evacuation, collecting up hand luggage...
The incident took one runway out of service, but the airport said the other three runways are operating as normal. The Federal Aviation Administration said the aircraft’s left GE90 jet engine caught fire, prompting the crew to abort takeoff at the airport, which is 8km south of the City of Las Vegas.
The General Electric GE90 series of engines are built exclusively for Boeing's 777 aircraft. The GE90 was introduced in 1995 and fitted to a British Airways 777, the early GE90 models rated outputs between 74,000 and 94,000 lbs of thrust. General Electric [GE] developed the first carbon-fibre composite fan blade for the original GE90 engine (in 1995) and has since improved upon that with larger models (-110B and -115B variants). These larger variants are now built exclusively for Boeing’s largest 777 models (777-200LR and 777-300ER).
Low impact bird strike cannot be ruled out, shattering a carbon-fibre composite fan and this being taken into the jet combustion assembly. The other possibility is a fractured fuel line severed by the progress of the shattered carbon- fibre fan blade.
Detailed report:
Updated : 09-09-2015 14:44:03 GMT
A British Airways Boeing 777-200, [G-VIIO] flight BA-2276 from Las Vegas, NV (USA) to London Gatwick, EN (UK) with 157 passengers and 13 crew, accelerating for take off from Las Vegas' runway 07L.
The crew rejected take off at minimal speed, they stopped the aircraft 800 metres (2,600 feet) along the runway.
An arrival (ie another aircraft) to the parallel runway 07R was instructed to go around.
After coming to a full stop, crew radioed "Mayday, Mayday, need fire services".
The tower responded that fire services were already on their way. at that point, the crew advised they were evacuating. They had a fire, they were evacuating.
Julian Bray Aviation Expert writes: A British Airways Boeing 777-200 [Reg: G-VIIO] aircraft has caught fire on the taxiway at Las Vegas (McCarran International) Airport, just before departing for London Gatwick
All 159 passengers and 13 crew evacuated by slide chutes, with 13 passengers sustaining minor injuries as the Boeing 777-200 (according to the Captain) suffered a catastrophic
failure of the left GE90 jet engine on take off which quickly spread to the cabin area. Enveloping the front section of the 777 aircraft in thick black, acrid smoke, and flames.
The fire, at McCarran Intenational Airport, Las Vegas USA started as British Airways Flight 2276 taxied along the airside apron and taxiway before departing for Gatwick London, UK.
159 passengers and 13 crew were on board the flight for Gatwick International Airport, London. Black smoke was seen coming from the Boeing 777-200 as it shuddered to a halt, and its emergency evacuation slides were then deployed.
Two passengers were initially transferred to hospital with minor injuries. Later reports put the number as 13, with smoke inhalation, respiratory problems being the main cause.
Disturbingly, reports suggest some passengers delayed their emergency evacuation, collecting up hand luggage...
The incident took one runway out of service, but the airport said the other three runways are operating as normal. The Federal Aviation Administration said the aircraft’s left GE90 jet engine caught fire, prompting the crew to abort takeoff at the airport, which is 8km south of the City of Las Vegas.
The General Electric GE90 series of engines are built exclusively for Boeing's 777 aircraft. The GE90 was introduced in 1995 and fitted to a British Airways 777, the early GE90 models rated outputs between 74,000 and 94,000 lbs of thrust. General Electric [GE] developed the first carbon-fibre composite fan blade for the original GE90 engine (in 1995) and has since improved upon that with larger models (-110B and -115B variants). These larger variants are now built exclusively for Boeing’s largest 777 models (777-200LR and 777-300ER).
Low impact bird strike cannot be ruled out, shattering a carbon-fibre composite fan and this being taken into the jet combustion assembly. The other possibility is a fractured fuel line severed by the progress of the shattered carbon- fibre fan blade.
Detailed report:
Updated : 09-09-2015 14:44:03 GMT
A British Airways Boeing 777-200, [G-VIIO] flight BA-2276 from Las Vegas, NV (USA) to London Gatwick, EN (UK) with 157 passengers and 13 crew, accelerating for take off from Las Vegas' runway 07L.
The crew rejected take off at minimal speed, they stopped the aircraft 800 metres (2,600 feet) along the runway.
An arrival (ie another aircraft) to the parallel runway 07R was instructed to go around.
After coming to a full stop, crew radioed "Mayday, Mayday, need fire services".
The tower responded that fire services were already on their way. at that point, the crew advised they were evacuating. They had a fire, they were evacuating.
Thirteen people received minor injuries during the evacuation, two of them were immediately taken to hospitals.
Smoke and flames were seen from the left hand engine (General Electric 90). Airport Emergency Services responded, controlling and putting out the fire some 4 minutes after the aircraft rejected take off.
The aircraft received substantial fire/heat damage to left hand inboard wing and fuselage.
Las Vegas Airport are reporting that flames were spotted at 16:14 hrs local (23:14), the fire was put out by 16:18Local.
The aircraft received substantial fire/heat damage to left hand inboard wing and fuselage.
Las Vegas Airport are reporting that flames were spotted at 16:14 hrs local (23:14), the fire was put out by 16:18Local.
Two pax (passengers) were taken to hospitals for minor injuries, a total of seven needed medical attention.
Emergency services reported a total of thirteen pax required medical treatment.
The FAA duly reported on Sep 9th 2015. the left hand engine caught fire during the departure roll.
Aircraft stopped on the runway and was evacuated via slides.
Five persons received unknown injuries.
The aircraft was substantially damaged, the incident was officially rated an accident.
Passengers meanwhile reported a loud bang from the left hand side, the brakes were then applied, they report 'enormous heat,' melting down two passenger windows. As a consequence smoke entered the aircraft passenger section.
Some reports suggest a rear emergency exit kicked out allowed the smoke to enter. Speculation is it could be a combination of both events.
Emergency services reported a total of thirteen pax required medical treatment.
The FAA duly reported on Sep 9th 2015. the left hand engine caught fire during the departure roll.
Aircraft stopped on the runway and was evacuated via slides.
Five persons received unknown injuries.
The aircraft was substantially damaged, the incident was officially rated an accident.
Passengers meanwhile reported a loud bang from the left hand side, the brakes were then applied, they report 'enormous heat,' melting down two passenger windows. As a consequence smoke entered the aircraft passenger section.
Some reports suggest a rear emergency exit kicked out allowed the smoke to enter. Speculation is it could be a combination of both events.
Passengers then evacuated down the slides, Some reports suggest the evac, was hampered by a few passengers insisting on taking hand baggage and clearing overhead lockers, then having difficulties jumping with cabin baggage onto the evac. slide.
The speculation is also that stray/ discarded luggage in the aisles may have formed a trip hazard, and may have caused injuries and delayed safe exit times.
The speculation is also that stray/ discarded luggage in the aisles may have formed a trip hazard, and may have caused injuries and delayed safe exit times.
Passengers were then taken by bus to passenger terminal.
Later the BA captain joined passengers at the terminal and confirmed they had suffered 'a catastrophic failure of the left hand engine.'
The airline also issued an interim report:
The aircraft, a Boeing 777-200 experienced a technical issue as it was preparing for take-off from McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas.
Our crew evacuated the aircraft safely and the fire was quickly extinguished by the emergency services at the airport.
Later the BA captain joined passengers at the terminal and confirmed they had suffered 'a catastrophic failure of the left hand engine.'
The airline also issued an interim report:
The aircraft, a Boeing 777-200 experienced a technical issue as it was preparing for take-off from McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas.
Our crew evacuated the aircraft safely and the fire was quickly extinguished by the emergency services at the airport.
157 customers were on board the flight, along with three pilots and 10 cabin crew.
A small number of customers and our crew have been taken to hospital.
The passengers were taken to hotels, hotlines have been opened for friends and relatives of those on board.
The NTSB have sent three official investigators, and they are currently on site.
The runway was closed for a period of 4 hours, the FAA also issued ground stops for a number of flights, inbound to Las Vegas.
Earlier this morning Aviation Expert Julian Bray talked to the Daily Mail., Click this Link.
The NTSB have sent three official investigators, and they are currently on site.
The runway was closed for a period of 4 hours, the FAA also issued ground stops for a number of flights, inbound to Las Vegas.
Earlier this morning Aviation Expert Julian Bray talked to the Daily Mail., Click this Link.
JULIAN BRAY +44(0)1733 345581, Journalist, Broadcaster, Aviation Security & Airline Operations Expert, Travel / Maritime & Cruise Industry, EQUITY, NUJ, Broadcast COOBE ISDN ++44 (0)1733 345020 (DUAL CODEC) SKYPE: JULIAN.BRAY.UK e&oe Cell: 07944 217476 or iPhone 0743 530 3145 www.aviationcomment.com B.B.C.#104764 53 http://feeds.feedburner.com/BraysDuckhouseBlog
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