A British Airways jet has caught fire at Las Vegas airport, sending smoke billowing into the air, after suffering what the pilot described as a “catastrophic failure” of the left engine. A Boeing 777 heading from the US city’s McCarran airport to London Gatwick – could be seen with flames around its fuselage.

 

Fire officials said 14 people were taken to Sunrise hospital to be treated for minor injuries, including cuts and bruises, most a result of sliding down the inflatable chutes to escape.

 

All 159 passengers and 13 crew on board were evacuated, and the fire was swiftly put out by around 50 firefighters.

 

The plane’s take-off had been aborted shortly before the fire broke out. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the Boeing’s 777 left engine burst into flames.

 

 

British Airways plane catches fire at Las Vegas airport #BA2276 | US news | The Guardian

Happy to know nobody was seriously injured or killed during this whole situation.

Thank god it didn't wait until airborn to explode.

Wonder if these passengers got more than the 10,000 miles I got when my plane lost and engine?

Wonder if these passengers got more than the 10,000 miles I got when my plane lost and engine?

 

Salted peanuts for life.

Thank god it didn't wait until airborn to explode.

 

No kidding. That could have been a disaster.

They were very lucky this didn't end up a whole hell of a lot worse. Yikes.

By the looks of the pictures the fire bottles did their job with the engine but Im guessing the hydros caught fire and spread through the wing.

 

Had this happened during take off it would have been bad. During mid air flight, not so bad.