British Airways B777 Operating Flight To New York Declared Emergency And Returned Back To Heathrow – Aero World

Photo:  Peter Howlett

British Airways Boeing 777 took off from London Heathrow at 3.38pm and declared an emergency less than an hour later at 4.15pm when it was flying over Cardiff, Wales.


The aircraft was operating flight BA113 from London Heathrow to New York-JFK. However, it is not clear why the pilot declared an emergency.


It’s believed that the Boeing 777-200ER dumped fuel to make it ‘lighter’ before landing safely back to London Heathrow.

#BA113, London-New York, returning to London with a technical issue. Currently squawking 7700. Will likely hold to reduce fuel weight. https://t.co/1R9xsWKz9V

For more information on ‘Squawking 7700’ please see https://t.co/nW7vZ4JgMF pic.twitter.com/7G5eOoEfYs

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) September 14, 2020

The airline also stated that they’ve said sorry to our customers for the delay to their journey, and we’ll get them back on their way as quickly as we can.


The flight tracker website shows the B777 looped down the Bristol Channel, passing Portishead, Clevedon, and Weston-super-Mare.


The plane sent a 7700 emergency squawk to traffic controllers.


A squawk code is a code given by ATC to all aircraft in the air for communication purposes. 

Photo: British Airways

However, squawk codes are also used for important communications between aircraft and the ground.

All aircraft will be given a four-digit squawk code before departure, which will be used by ATC to direct the aircraft during its flight.

Photo: British Airways