A Virgin Atlantic flight traveling from London to Las Vegas was forced to make a dramatic emergency landing Monday after pilots discovered an issue with the plane's landing gear.
The Boeing 747 jumbo jet had just begun to cross the Atlantic Ocean when it circled back toward the United Kingdom, made several low-altitude circles to allow engineers to inspect the problem from the ground before it eventually made a safe landing back at Gatwick Airport, just south of London.
A detailed view of the undercarriage of the Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 as it passes overhead at Gatwick airport in West Sussex on December 29, 2014 in London, England. Flight VS43 was traveling to Las Vegas and returned to the airport due to a reported technical issue with one of the landing gears. (Credit
Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)
More than 450 passengers and crew on board the jet reportedly erupted into applause once the plane had landed safely.
Passenger Dan Crane described the harrowing moments as "anxious," saying "a lot were worried, some crying. The mood was quiet and [we were] just waiting for the captain's next announcement." Crane said the crew kept telling the passengers that it was an emergency landing and to prepare to brace upon impact.
Image source: YouTube
Mike Kaufman, another passenger, called it one of the "greatest emergencies in history."
By 3:45 p.m. local time, the pilots heroically landed the plane at Gatwick with just three-fourths of the landing gear reportedly working.
In the landing that was caught on video, emergency vehicles swarm the plan as soon as its wheels hit the runway.
Image source: YouTube
Emergency vehicles attend to the Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 at Gatwick airport in West Sussex on December 29, 2014 in London, England. Flight VS43 was traveling to Las Vegas and returned to the airport due to a reported technical issue with one of the landing gears. (Credit
Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)
"Virgin Atlantic flight VS043 has landed safely after returning to Gatwick due to a technical fault. Following the emergency landing, passengers have disembarked the aircraft via stairs. At this time, only minor injuries have been reported," a Gatwick Airport spokesman said.
He added that the runway has been closed until the aircraft can be removed. No flights are currently going in or out of Gatwick airport, according to the spokesman.
Passengers are helped to disembark the Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 at Gatwick airport in West Sussex on December 29, 2014 in London, England. Flight VS43 was traveling to Las Vegas and returned to the airport due to a reported technical issue with one of the landing gears. (Credit
Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)
Watch the dramatic landing and listen as air traffic controllers and pilots brilliantly end a horrific situation that could have ended tragically:
(H/T: Daily Mail)
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