Virgin Atlantic 747 Diverts to Gatwick with Flaps Problem
Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747
A Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 en route to Orlando, Florida diverted to London’s Gatwick Airport on Friday due to problem with the jet’s flaps.
‘Flight VIR73 from Manchster to Orlando was forced to make an emergency landing after take off. The flight declared a state of emergency and went into a holding pattern till it got diverted to Gatwick.’
Virgin Flight 73 had 333 people on board.
There were no injuries.
Image: Flickr [hisgett]
Category: Airnation
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I guess the crew couldn’t raise their flaps after takeoff. And since they wouldn’t be able to make the 4500sm journey to MCO with flaps extended, they probably figured it would be best to go to Gatwick where their maintenance facility is located. The passengers must have been really upset- but oh well, they’re safe!