Virgin Atlantic B747 Flight VS43 Gatwick to Las Vegas RTB Landed with Malfunction Landing Gear

[flee 5]

A Virgin Atlantic passenger plane "is preparing to implement a non-standard landing" at Gatwick airport because of "a technical issue with one of the landing gears", the airline has said.

Virgin said flight VS43 travelling from Gatwick to Las Vegas is returning to the West Sussex airport.

The aircraft circled repeatedly between Gatwick and the south coast of England apparently to burn off fuel.

The plane is a Boeing 747. Airport emergency services are on stand-by.

More here: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-30625945

[Mohd Azizul Ramli 2]

Safely landed with 3/4 main landing gear fully retracted. LIVE coverage on BBC throughout the ordeal.

 

 

 

[Mohd Suhaimi Fariz 2]

I wonder why gravity drop of the offending gear doesn't work in this case?

[leon t 0]

saw the landing clip and looks like the pilot landed the plane fairly hard as it bounced off once - not sure if this the way to land as with part of wheel boogie not down - a smooth landing would be better as it eases the load on the remaining wheels to prevent tyre bursts. Am sure the pilot would have tried using gravity during its flight manoevres to try and get the problem wheel boogie down before actual landing.

[flee 5]

Good to see a successful conclusion. We don't really want more bad news!

[SS Lee 0]

 

Quite a complete video of the landing sequence.

 

Amazing that the starboard engines were completely clear of the ground.