British Airways Airbus A320 Declares Mayday After Two Stall Warnings Near Heathrow
A British Airways flight, an Airbus A320 carrying 172 passengers and crew, declared a 'mayday' on 6 July while approaching London Heathrow. The crew reported two distinct stall warnings during the descent from Dusseldorf Airport, Germany.
The air traffic controller at Heathrow promptly cleared the aircraft for an immediate landing. The flight subsequently touched down without incident on Heathrow's southern runway.
Initial reports indicate the aircraft experienced two separate stall warnings. These alerts occurred after the flight crew extended the landing gear and flaps. The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
A spokesperson for British Airways confirmed that the flight landed safely after the crew reported a 'technical issue'. The declaration of a 'mayday' signifies a life-threatening emergency, requiring priority handling from air traffic control.
This event follows previous concerns regarding stall warning reliability in Airbus A320 family aircraft, particularly in specific flight conditions. The AAIB's findings will be crucial in understanding the precise cause of these warnings and any broader implications for aviation safety protocols.
