British Airways Flight to Chennai Returns to Heathrow After Flap Failure

In a tense mid-air episode on Sunday, a British Airways flight from London to Chennai was forced to return to Heathrow Airport after encountering a technical issue shortly after takeoff. The flight, BA35, operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, took off at 11:45 UTC but was unable to continue its journey due to a reported flap adjustment failure.

According to data from flight tracking website Flightradar24, the aircraft reached the western coast of England by approximately 12:30 UTC before abruptly changing course. The flight then performed several holding patterns over the Strait of Dover, a typical maneuver to manage onboard systems or burn/dump fuel to prepare for an emergency landing. The plane remained in the area for about an hour, dumping fuel to reduce landing weight, a standard procedure in such situations.

Aviation-related social media accounts suggested that the issue stemmed from a “flap adjustment failure,” a condition that likely left the pilots unable to properly manage the wing flaps. Flaps are critical for controlling lift and speed during various phases of flight, especially takeoff and landing.

After resolving that it could not safely continue to India, the Dreamliner returned to Heathrow and landed without incident at 2:00 UTC.

British Airways has yet to release an official statement regarding the technical fault, but incidents like these, while rare, are handled with strict protocols ensuring passenger safety remains the top priority. No injuries or other complications were reported, and passengers are expected to be rebooked on alternative flights.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner is one of the most modern aircraft in British Airways’ fleet, known for its long-range capabilities and fuel efficiency. Technical issues involving flaps are uncommon but can pose serious operational challenges, making the crew’s decision to return both prudent and in line with standard aviation safety procedures.

Further investigation and maintenance checks will likely follow before the aircraft is cleared to fly again.