British Airways flight makes emergency landing after rapid descent

A British Airways Boeing 777-200ER flight from London Heathrow to Chicago O’Hare International Airport was forced to make an emergency landing on October 5 following a technical issue.

While flying over Ireland at approximately 37,000 feet, the aircraft activated an emergency code and rapidly descended to 9,000 feet, losing roughly 28,000 feet in altitude within minutes. Some passengers reported that oxygen masks deployed during the descent.

The crew reversed course and circled the Bristol Channel area before landing safely at London Heathrow. British Airways stated that the safety of customers and crew is their top priority and confirmed that passengers were able to disembark normally. The airline has not specified the exact nature of the technical problem, though investigations are expected to follow.