Breaking News: British Airways Flight Issues Mayday Call
A British Airways flight issued a “mayday” distress call while approaching Heathrow Airport on July 6. The Airbus A320 was flying from Dusseldorf, Germany, when it experienced two stall warnings.
The UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is investigating this serious incident. A spokesperson for British Airways stated that the airline is cooperating with the AAIB but cannot provide further comments at this time.
According to France’s Air Safety Investigation Authority (BEA), the aircraft faced a data system failure that triggered the initial stall warning. The crew switched to “alternate law,” a flight mode that limits some automated protections. A second stall warning occurred at 3,000 feet, just before landing.
The crew upgraded their urgency call to a mayday, indicating imminent danger. The AAIB has confirmed it is conducting a correspondence investigation, meaning no team will be sent to the field.
Aviation safety investigator David Gleave noted that mayday calls can vary in significance and are at the captain’s discretion. He emphasized that significant failures on board are unusual.
