Flight BA295 status update: London-Chicago British Airways dived 27,000 feet in 7 minutes; check photos | Today’s news

A British Airways flight bound for Chicago has reportedly turned back after a pressurization problem. Flight BA295 departed from London Heathrow and was operated by a Boeing 777-236ER, registration G-VIIA.

According to FlightRadar24, the scheduled departure was at Heathrow Airport at 11:10. But it took off at 12:14. The scheduled arrival in Chicago was at 1:50 p.m. However, it is now expected to arrive at 11:02.

The latest update on FlightRadar24 shows that the flight has arrived at Heathrow Airport.

Flight BA295 has arrived at Heathrow Airport(FlightRadar24)

Details of the British Airways flight to X were shared by Turbine Traveler, an aviation engineer based in Nairobi. The post referred to a reported crew message explaining the decision to return.

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The report said the plane was returning to Heathrow due to a pressurization problem. She recorded a cabin altitude reaching 10,500 feet. Cabin altitude refers to the altitude corresponding to the air pressure inside the aircraft.

Photo from BA295(Instagram/bozzman2603)

According to the post, BA295 was cruising at 36,000 feet before rapidly descending. It soon reached about 9,000 feet. The descent from 27,000 feet took place in seven minutes.

Turbine Traveler reported that this descent was consistent with Boeing’s procedure for loss of cabin pressure. The goal is to reach an altitude where additional oxygen is no longer needed. At cruising altitude, the thin outside air cannot support normal breathing without additional oxygen.

The crew’s reported message also raised concerns about the aircraft’s landing weight. He stated that the aircraft was about 30 tonnes over its maximum landing weight. The message said there was no way to release the fuel.

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This made fuel management another consideration on return. Burning fuel while waiting would help reduce the weight of the aircraft before landing. Flightradar24 shows several loops along the aircraft’s tracked route near southwest Britain.

Flightradar24 shows several loops for BA295(Flightradar24)

The post also explained how the Boeing 777 maintains cabin pressure. Its air conditioning units supply air, while valves control how much air leaves.

Two outlet valves are located in the front and rear of the aircraft. During automatic operation, they adjust as the aircraft climbs, cruises and descends. This helps to maintain cabin pressure during various phases of flight.

The system normally limits cabin altitude to 8,000 feet. It also controls how quickly the cabin pressure changes. Pilots can choose manual control and adjust any outlet valve if needed.

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Air distribution system

Airflow distribution changes depending on whether the front cargo air conditioner is in operation. After switching off, about 20% leaves through the front valve and 80% through the rear. After switching on, the distribution between the two valves is roughly the same.

Separate safety valves protect the aircraft from excessive pressure differences between its interior and the surrounding atmosphere. Other vents protect against too low pressure inside compared to outside.

These systems work together to maintain suitable cabin conditions. When pressure is lost, reaching a lower altitude becomes the immediate priority. BA295 followed a rapid descent after the crew decided to return to Heathrow.

“They are returning to Heathrow, too heavy for a normal landing, they are currently dumping fuel over the Bristol Channel and will continue to London once they are below maximum landing weight,” said a former Irish commercial and military pilot at X.

“This is ALL normal pilot training in simulation and will be done completely according to procedure. More than likely it will be a paid overnight stop at the airport, try number two tomorrow!” he added.