Video shows a wheel detaching from British Airways Flight 274, an Airbus A350, seconds after takeoff from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas at about 8:45 p.m. The aircraft continued to London and landed safely at Heathrow. The FAA has opened an investigation; no injuries have been reported and passenger numbers have not been released.
Video Shows Wheel Detach From British Airways A350 Seconds After Las Vegas Takeoff
British Airways has not yet confirmed if there were any reported injuries.(iStock)
Dramatic video circulating online captured the moment a wheel detached from a British Airways Airbus A350 moments after takeoff from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.
The incident occurred at about 8:45 p.m. local time Monday as British Airways Flight 274 began its departure roll, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said. Footage appears to show the A350 become airborne, with a wheel falling to the ground shortly after the aircraft lifted off the runway.
Flight Continued and Landed Safely: FAA officials confirmed the jet continued on its scheduled route to Heathrow Airport in London and subsequently landed safely. British Airways had not immediately provided a comment when contacted.
What Is Known
The Airbus A350 is a modern, wide‑body airliner introduced in 2015 and typically carries roughly 300–350 passengers depending on configuration. Authorities have not released the number of people on board Flight 274 at the time of the incident, and no injuries linked to the detached wheel have been reported so far.
Investigation Underway
The FAA said it will investigate the circumstances surrounding the detached wheel. Investigators are expected to review maintenance records, departure procedures, video and telemetry, and any potential mechanical causes to determine how the separation occurred.
Video of the separation has been widely shared online and prompted immediate safety questions among aviation observers, though the aircraft’s safe continuation to London underscores the redundancy and safety margins built into modern airliners.
Further updates are expected as the FAA’s review progresses and as British Airways or other authorities release additional information.
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