A Munich-bound Lufthansa Airbus A320neo made a dramatic return to London’s Heathrow Airport after a brief emergency that unfolded less than 30 minutes after take-off. The incident, which involved a fire alert and engine shutdown, prompted the crew to issue an emergency squawk and loop back to the departure gate. Passengers were later reassigned to a subsequent flight.
At a Glance
- Lufthansa flight 2473 returned to Heathrow in under 30 minutes.
- The emergency was triggered by a fire warning in the left-hand engine.
- The aircraft performed a full loop at 14,000 feet before landing.
- Passengers were moved to a later flight.
- The incident was reported on January 22.
Flight Overview
Lufthansa flight 2473 was scheduled to depart London’s Heathrow Airport at 11:20 a.m. on Thursday, January 22, bound for Munich. Flight data shows the aircraft did not leave the gate until 11:55 a.m..
The flight was operated on an Airbus A320neo, a model commonly used for short-haul routes. The plane was loaded with passengers heading to Munich, but the journey was cut short by technical issues.
Emergency Signaling
Within 23 minutes of take-off, the crew reported problems on board. The Independent, a UK newspaper, reported that the aircraft transmitted a 7700 squawk code, the international signal for an emergency.
According to the California Aeronautical University, a squawk 7700 can refer to any kind of emergency encountered during flight. It could be used to signal mechanical or technical problems or even medical issues. Pilots may put it into the transponder themselves, or do so after instructed by air traffic control.
After the squawk was issued, ground crews cleared the runway and prepared emergency services.
Flight Path and Landing
Flight data from LH2473 shows the crew issued the squawk while climbing to 14,000 feet. Pilots immediately halted their ascent and made a sharp turn back toward Heathrow.
The flight path indicates the aircraft made one complete loop around the facility before returning to the runway. FlightAware reports the plane landed back at Heathrow at 12:18 p.m. local time.
The aircraft was in the air for less than 30 minutes.
Airline and Airport Response
A spokesperson for Lufthansa told the Independent that the flight “had to return due to technical reasons.”
Heathrow Airport’s spokesperson deferred to Lufthansa for comment; the airline did not immediately respond to the request from News Of Los Angeles.
A source told aviation news outlet AIRLIVE that the flight had to divert due to a fire alert. The source claims pilots had to shut down engine one during the climb.
The Aviation Herald also stated: “Passengers reported the crew indicated the left-hand engine needed to be shut down due to a fire warning.”
On the ground, the plane was reportedly taken to a remote stand where crews completed a safety inspection.
Passenger Experience
Passengers on the flight were informed of the emergency and the decision to return. After landing, they were later booked on a subsequent flight to Munich.
The airline’s spokesperson did not provide details on passenger comfort or compensation, but the aircraft was inspected before passengers were allowed to board the next flight.
The incident caused a brief delay at Heathrow, but emergency services were ready and no injuries were reported.
Aftermath and Next Steps
Following the landing, Lufthansa crews conducted a thorough inspection of the aircraft’s left-hand engine. The engine was shut down due to the fire warning.
The aircraft was taken to a remote stand for a safety inspection before being cleared for departure.
Lufthansa has not yet released a full technical report on the incident. The airline’s spokesperson confirmed that the aircraft was deemed safe for the next flight.
Heathrow Airport remains on alert for any further incidents involving the same flight.
Key Takeaways
- The emergency occurred less than 30 minutes after take-off, prompting a return to Heathrow.
- A fire alert in the left-hand engine forced the crew to shut down that engine.
- The aircraft performed a full loop at 14,000 feet before landing.
- Passengers were rebooked on a later flight.
- Lufthansa and Heathrow Airport are awaiting a full technical investigation.
The incident highlights the importance of rapid emergency signaling and the procedures that allow a flight to return safely.
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Note: All details are based on reports from FlightAware, the Independent, AIRLIVE, and the Aviation Herald. The airline’s spokesperson did not comment further at the time of publication.
