Did a British Airways A350-1000 Lose a Wheel After Takeoff from Las Vegas?
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British Airways flight BA274, an Airbus A350-1000, safely completed its transatlantic journey to London after losing a main landing gear wheel during takeoff from Las Vegas.
Key Takeaways
- •British Airways A350-1000, flight BA274, lost a right-rear main landing gear wheel shortly after takeoff from Las Vegas (LAS) on January 26, 2026.
- •The aircraft's robust 6-wheel bogie design provided sufficient redundancy for the crew to safely continue the transatlantic flight to London Heathrow (LHR).
- •The incident, captured by Flightradar24, is expected to trigger an investigation focusing on the cause of the wheel separation, likely involving maintenance procedures.
- •The safe landing highlights the inherent safety margins built into modern wide-body commercial aircraft.
A British Airways A350-1000 wide-body jet experienced a rare mechanical failure this week.
Flight BA274 was departing Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas on Monday, 26 January. An object was seen separating from the aircraft shortly after takeoff.
Footage from an automated Flightradar24 live stream captured the moment. The video showed what appeared to be one of the main landing gear wheels detaching.
Incident Details and Aircraft Redundancy
The incident involved a British Airways Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, registration G-XWBN. The plane was operating the transatlantic service to London Heathrow Airport (LHR).
Despite the plane wheel falls off event, the flight crew opted to continue the journey. The aircraft proceeded across the Atlantic Ocean as planned. It maintained its cruising altitude of 39,000 feet.
This decision highlights the wide-body jet redundancy engineered into modern aircraft. The Airbus A350-1000 features two main landing gear units. Each unit is equipped with a robust six-wheel bogie.
- The aircraft has a total of 12 main wheels, plus two on the nose gear.
- Losing a single wheel does not typically compromise the aircraft's ability to fly or land safely.
- Built-in structural redundancy allows for safe operation even with some component failure.
Safe Arrival and Investigation
BA274 flight safety was maintained throughout the journey. The jet landed safely at London Heathrow approximately nine hours later. The safe landing confirmed the crew's assessment of the aircraft's airworthiness.
Safety is the top priority in commercial aviation safety. The crew's actions were likely in consultation with the airline's operations and engineering teams. Continuing to the destination is sometimes preferred over an unscheduled diversion. This is true when the aircraft remains within acceptable safety margins.
Regulatory Oversight and Maintenance Focus
An investigation into the Las Vegas takeoff incident is expected. The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) or the UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) may take the lead. The cause of the Airbus A350 landing gear separation will be a key focus.
Landing gear wheel failures, while rare, often point to maintenance issues. Previous investigations have cited factors like loosened tie bolt assemblies. Improper application of anti-seize compound can also affect clamping forces.
This incident will likely prompt a review of maintenance logs for the specific aircraft. It may also lead to enhanced inspection procedures for the A350-1000 fleet. The aircraft involved is reportedly only two years old.
British Airways has been contacted for an official statement regarding the matter. Regulatory bodies will examine the event to prevent future occurrences. The successful landing underscores the high level of safety redundancy in modern air travel. The Flightradar24 live stream provided immediate, if alarming, visual evidence of the event.
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Written by Ujjwal Sukhwani
Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience. Covers flight operations, safety regulations, and market trends with expert analysis.
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