British Airways flight descends 28,000ft, returns to London after mid-air emergency

British Airways Flight BA295, operating from London Heathrow to Chicago O'Hare, squawked 7700, the international emergency transponder code, while flying over Ireland.

In Short

• British Airways flight to Chicago drops to 9,000 feet over Ireland
• BA295 declared an emergency mid-air on its way to Chicago
• Flight returned to London Heathrow after emergency alert

A British Airways flight from London to Chicago declared an emergency over Ireland on Monday after making a sudden descent of around 28,000 feet, according to flight-tracking data cited by UK media.

British Airways Flight BA295, operating from London Heathrow to Chicago O'Hare, squawked 7700, the international emergency transponder code, while flying over Ireland.

The Boeing 777-200ER, registered as G-VIIA, had departed Heathrow's Terminal 5 at around 11.50 am (local time) and was heading towards Chicago on a scheduled flight lasting about eight hours and 40 minutes. According to flight-tracking data, the aircraft had climbed to around 37,000 feet before making a rapid descent to approximately 9,000 feet over Ireland.

BA295 RETURNS TO HEATHROW

Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft subsequently turned back towards London Heathrow, abandoning its planned journey to Chicago.

According to Flightradar24, BA295 landed back at Heathrow 4 hours and 47 minutes after take-off.

Following the emergency alert, the aircraft continued to reduce its fuel load in preparation for its return to London Heathrow Airport, Flightradar24 said. Reducing fuel can help bring an aircraft's weight within the appropriate limits for landing after an unexpected return during a long-haul flight.

The reason for the emergency was not immediately clear.

The aircraft was around an hour into its transatlantic journey when it began the steep descent. No further details about the nature of the reported operational issue were immediately available.

British Airways had not immediately provided details about the incident or confirmed the reason for the emergency.

WHAT IS 7700 EMERGENCY CODE?

The 7700 transponder code is an internationally recognised signal used by pilots to alert air traffic controllers that an aircraft is facing a general emergency.

When a pilot enters 7700 into the aircraft's transponder, the code appears on air traffic controllers' radar screens, immediately signalling that the flight may require priority handling or other assistance.

It does not identify the specific nature of the emergency. The problem could involve a medical situation, technical malfunction, severe weather or another issue requiring urgent attention. Air traffic controllers would normally communicate with the crew to establish what assistance is needed.

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