The footage posted to social media shows a British Airways aircraft taking off from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, shortly after which one of the wheels collapses and detaches. The captured frame reveals the wheel separating from the main‑gear assembly while the flight crew prepares for climb. The aircraft is seen maintaining a standard take‑off profile until the event, with no apparent impact on its immediate trajectory or on‑board operations.
_2_ The incident has attracted the attention of U.S. aviation authorities who are reviewing maintenance records and the design specifications for the aircraft’s landing gear. The aircraft was reported as part of the UK airline’s routine intercontinental service. No passengers or crew were injured, and the plane was directed to land safely at a nearby alternate facility. The airline has issued a statement confirming the presence of the wheel in its maintenance logs and stating that the aircraft is pending a comprehensive inspection before resumption of service.
_3_ The Aviation Safety Agency’s preliminary findings indicate that the wheel failure did not engage any other critical components of the flight deck or the main structural load paths. The pilot’s adherence to standard checklists following the anomaly is noted as aligning with established operational procedures. The final investigation report will be released once all mechanical and procedural data have been compiled. The incident underscores the importance of continual monitoring of aircraft systems, even during routine operations. The event also highlights the role of spontaneous media capture in allowing rapid dissemination of situational data to the aviation community and the public.