IndiGo Boeing 787-9 returns to London Heathrow after emergency declaration
An IndiGo flight bound for New Delhi turned back to London Heathrow after the crew declared an emergency shortly after departure. The aircraft landed safely and was escorted to a remote stand.
An IndiGo Airlines flight bound for New Delhi turned back to London Heathrow Airport after the crew declared an emergency shortly after departure, according to flight tracking data.
Flight 6E4, a Boeing 787-9 registered LN-FND, departed Heathrow's Runway 27R at 20:05 BST. It was scheduled to cross Europe and the Middle East before reaching Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Tracking data showed the widebody stopped climbing at 24,000 feet over the English Channel. The crew then squawked 7700, the code signalling a general onboard emergency and a request for priority handling from air traffic control, and turned the aircraft back toward British airspace. Controllers cleared a path for its return to the London area.
Officials have not confirmed whether the problem was technical, mechanical or medical. Declaring an emergency gives a flight immediate landing priority, dedicated airspace clearance and standby ground rescue services.
The aircraft approached Runway 27L and touched down at 21:23 BST, with emergency medical services reaching the Dreamliner. It taxied to a remote stand escorted by fire trucks.
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Sources
- airlive.netIndiGo Boeing 787-9 is declaring an emergency and returning to London