A British Airways aircraft experienced a tense and technically challenging episode after departing from Edinburgh, compelling it to perform a prolonged aerial maneuver before returning safely to the very airport it had only recently left. The flight in question, designated as Flight 1443, departed the Scottish capital shortly after 11 a.m. on Monday, with its original destination being London, where it was scheduled to arrive roughly an hour later. However, within just a few minutes of takeoff, the routine journey became complicated when the aircraft transmitted a ‘squawk 7700’ signal—a universally recognized emergency transponder code that immediately notifies air traffic controllers of a serious technical problem aboard an aircraft. Data from the prominent flight-tracking platform Flightradar24 confirmed that this code signified an in-flight anomaly requiring urgent attention.
According to an official statement issued by a British Airways spokesperson, the flight crew swiftly identified a technical malfunction shortly after the aircraft became airborne. Subsequent reports from AirNav Radar’s specialized ‘Flight Emergency’ account on X (formerly Twitter) suggested that the Airbus A320’s landing gear had become locked in the extended, or down, position—an issue that would prevent the aircraft from flying efficiently and necessitated an altered flight plan. Following standard safety protocols, the pilots redirected the plane northward, away from heavily trafficked airspace, and entered a controlled holding pattern in the vicinity of Stirling, allowing time for assessment and coordination with ground control. During this holding phase, the aircraft circled six full times, maintaining altitude and stability while the crew worked closely with engineers and air traffic personnel to determine a safe course of action.
After ensuring the aircraft remained controllable despite the gear malfunction, the pilots began their cautious return toward Edinburgh. The jet flew in a measured arc over the scenic Firth of Forth before making its final approach toward the runway, where it touched down safely at approximately 12:16 p.m.—almost precisely one hour after its initial departure. Upon landing, the airport promptly initiated safety checks and temporarily suspended operations to manage the situation and secure the aircraft. As a result, flight activity at Edinburgh Airport was halted until nearly 2 p.m. to allow investigators and maintenance teams to conduct inspections and tow the immobilized plane from the runway.
The operational disruption had a domino effect across the region’s air traffic network. Fifteen other flights scheduled to arrive in Edinburgh were forced to divert, most redirecting to nearby Glasgow Airport to minimize delays. However, flight-tracking data indicates that a Qatar Airways service deviated considerably farther, landing instead at Manchester Airport, roughly 200 miles to the south, while a KLM aircraft en route from the Netherlands turned around over the eastern coast of England and ultimately returned to Amsterdam. Meanwhile, on the ground in Edinburgh, affected passengers were transported by bus from the aircraft to the terminal, where British Airways teams assisted them and proceeded with post-landing inspections. The airline confirmed that the plane was subsequently towed from the runway after technical evaluations ensured it posed no further operational risk.
In an official statement, Edinburgh Airport emphasized its unwavering commitment to safety, noting that passenger well-being always takes precedence over punctuality or convenience. Airport representatives expressed gratitude for travelers’ patience and understanding during the extended delay, while British Airways reiterated its apology to customers affected by the interruption. The company assured the public that its operational teams were actively working to accommodate disrupted passengers and restore flight schedules as swiftly as possible.
This particular incident occurred only four days after a separate disruption at Edinburgh Airport, underscoring a challenging week for airport operations. The earlier event, which took place the previous Friday, arose from an internal air traffic control IT malfunction that rendered staff temporarily unable to process flight movements. That issue forced several aircraft to divert, including a Delta Air Lines flight from New York, which was compelled to circle briefly south of the Scottish capital before altering course and landing in Dublin. Together, these successive events illustrate the complexity of modern aviation logistics and highlight both the precision and adaptability required from flight crews and airport personnel when unexpected technical complications arise.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/british-airways-plane-circled-times-after-landing-gear-got-stuck-2025-12
