Fire crews meet BA aircraft in Heathrow emergency landing

The plane’s left engine – a General Electric GE90-85B – its fuselage and wing were “substantially damaged” by the fire, according to the NTSB.

A spokeswoman for GE said it has sent technical personnel to Las Vegas to assist in the investigation and said it was premature to discuss the NTSB’s findings.

When a British Airways jet in Las Vegas burst into flames just prior to take off earlier this week panicked passengers on board were told to stay in their seats.

The aircraft was travelling between 40 and 100mph on the runway when the captain realised it was on fire and slammed down the breaks.

His ex-wife Marnie Henkey, 65, with whom he has a daughter, said she was relieved that everyone on board escaped safely.

The flight data and cockpit voice recorder “black boxes” and a quick access recorder arrived at an NTSB laboratory, said Eric Weiss, an agency spokesman.

The NTSB added: “The powerplants and airworthiness groups will continue documenting the airplane and engine over the next several days”.

The Boeing 777-200 is one of the most popular planes now being used by airlines.

Dr Brown said the investigators would examine the parts found on the runway for signs of fatigue while t he possibility of something going into the engine would be considered by looking for marks on its front fan.

Photos appear to show three fire engines heading towards the aircraft on Friday morning – a routine response when a plane reports a problem.

However, Mr Henkey has stressed that the flight will be his last, following a 42-year career.

British Airways said the plane coming from London Gatwick airport landed on schedule at 1:25 p.m. Tuesday. Henkey, 63, now says it’s unlikely he’ll make that flight because he’s “finished flying”.

There were sterner words for passengers who ignored safety protocols and grabbed their bags before exiting the plane. “One person said fire melted a couple of windows”, Steinberg wrote.

Safety information available online from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration emphatically capitalizes the instruction to “LEAVE YOUR POSSESSIONS BEHIND” under its evacuation procedures.

“First we thought the smoke was from the brakes screeching but then someone shouted that the engine was on fire”.

Crew members opened the again door and led passengers down an inflatable slide to the bottom. He deflected praise, saying the entire crew helped ensure passengers safety. “He said he had been flying for years and had never seen anything like that”, said Steinburg.