British Airways Flight Loses Wheel During Las Vegas Takeoff, Lands Safely in London

A British Airways long-haul flight made headlines this week after one of its landing-gear wheels detached during take-off from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, a dramatic moment later captured on video and widely shared online. The incident involved Flight BA274, an Airbus A350-1000 bound for London Heathrow.As the aircraft climbed away from the runway during gear retraction on the evening of January 26, 2026, the right rear main landing gear wheel suddenly came loose and fell to the ground near the airport.

Dramatic British Airways footage goes viral

Livestream and tracking footage shared by automated feeds such as FlightRadar24 showed sparks near the landing gear just as the plane lifted off. Moments later, the dislodged wheel could be seen dropping away from the aircraft, a rare and startling sight for observers watching the livestream. The video quickly spread on social media and aviation news sites, prompting a flood of reactions from aviation enthusiasts and general viewers alike. Many users shared the footage with astonishment, noting the unusual nature of seeing a major component detach mid-climb.

Unusual but safe: British Airways plane continues to London

Despite losing a wheel, the aircraft continued its trans-Atlantic journey without diversion, ultimately landing safely at Heathrow Airport after about nine hours and 17 minutes in the air. There were no injuries to passengers or crew, and no reported damage to airport property at the departure site.