LONDON- A British Airways (BA) flight from Washington, DC (IAD) to London (LHR) made an emergency landing in Boston (BOS) on Saturday after a suspected bird strike and reports of smoke in the cabin.
British Airways Flight BA 216, operated by a Boeing 777, safely landed at Boston Logan International Airport around 7:30 PM Eastern Time, with no injuries reported, according to officials.
Photo: Clément AlloingBritish Airways Emergency Landing
On April 26, 2025, British Airways (BA) Flight 216, operated by a Boeing 777, departed Dulles International Airport (IAD) at 5:36 PM Eastern Time, bound for Heathrow Airport (LHR).
Approximately 90 minutes into the flight, the crew reported a suspected bird strike and fumes in the cabin, prompting an emergency diversion to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).
According to CBS News, the plane landed safely at 7:30 PM Eastern Time with no reported injuries.
A Massachusetts Port Authority spokesperson confirmed that a bird was struck, but the landing occurred without incident.
British Airways reaffirmed its commitment to passenger and crew safety, stating that the diversion was a precautionary action taken in line with established safety protocols.
Engineers continue to thoroughly examine the aircraft to ensure it is airworthy before returning it to service.
Passengers affected by the disruption were offered accommodations and rebooking options, ensuring minimal inconvenience.
The airline expressed gratitude to the crew for their professionalism and to passengers for their understanding.
Engineers promptly began a thorough inspection of the aircraft to assess any damage. The flight resumed its journey to London at 8:45 PM Eastern Time, with an expected arrival at Heathrow at 6:15 AM GMT.
The FAA announced it would investigate the incident to determine the cause and ensure compliance with safety protocols.
Photo: By Alex Beltyukov – RuSpotters Team – Gallery page http://www.airliners.net/photo/British-Airways/Boeing-777-236-ER/2166021/LPhoto http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/1/2/0/2166021.jpg, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27355829Rising Bird Strike Incidents
According to the FAA, bird strikes in the United States have been on a consistent rise over recent years.
In 2023 alone, approximately 19,400 bird strike incidents were recorded across 713 US airports.
Factors contributing to this trend include increasing wildlife populations, a rise in aviation traffic, and the introduction of quieter aircraft engines that may give birds less warning of approaching planes.
Authorities emphasize that while most bird strikes do not cause serious accidents, they remain a significant operational and safety concern for airlines.
Incidents like the recent British Airways diversion highlight the need for continued vigilance, improved wildlife management strategies at airports, and pilot training for emergency situations.
Photo: By Mitchul Hope – British Airways | G-YMMJ | Boeing 777-236(ER) | London Heathrow Airport (LHR/EGLL), CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=129305813Impact on Passengers
Passengers on Flight 216 experienced a delay of just over an hour, with no reported injuries. British Airways issued an apology for the inconvenience, reiterating its commitment to safety.
The airline’s decision to resume the flight after inspection suggests minimal damage, though the FAA’s findings will provide further clarity.
The incident underscores the unpredictability of bird strikes and the importance of rapid response to ensure safe operations.
Photo: By Anna Zvereva from Tallinn, Estonia – British Airways, G-XWBC, Airbus A350-1041, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=87549663Similar Incident
A British Airways Airbus A350-1000 operating flight BA58 to London Heathrow made an emergency return to Cape Town International Airport on Wednesday evening, April 16, 2025, after crew members detected smoke in the cockpit. The aircraft landed safely approximately three hours after its initial departure.
The flight departed Cape Town at 7:16 PM local time and initiated a turnaround while flying over Namibia. Pilots safely landed the aircraft back at Cape Town International Airport around 10:00 PM, where emergency services awaited their arrival.
Cape Town’s Fire & Rescue service responded with what officials described as a “phase 2 emergency response,” deploying four major pumps on standby. After touchdown, pilots successfully shut down the aircraft’s engines and fuel supply before the plane was escorted to a designated parking area, where passengers remained onboard until safe disembarkation could be arranged.
JP Smith, Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member responsible for safety and security, detailed the incident on social media: “Drama unfolded at Cape Town Airport! This evening, our emergency services were put to the test at Cape Town International Airport. An Airbus A350, nearly 2 hours into its journey to London, radioed in with an emergency due to smoke filling the cockpit.”
Reports from the Facebook group “Latest Sightings Cape Town Int’l Airport” suggested the aircraft may have experienced a fuel leak and claimed the N2 highway running past the airport runway had been temporarily closed. These reports remain unconfirmed by authorities.
The same social media source alleged that the aircraft involved (registration G-XWBG) had experienced a previous incident on April 14, reportedly requiring diversion back to London’s Heathrow Airport. British Airways has not confirmed this earlier incident.
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The post British Airways Flight with 777 Makes Emergency Landing in Boston appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
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