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UPDATE 2: Heathrow reopened – Ethiopian airlines plane in fire incident

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There has been a fire at London Heathrow Airport today which has required the airport to close for a while according to  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23294760.

an airplane on the runway

The damaged aircraft – image BBC News – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23294760

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Damage area – Image – Sky News via NYC Aviation – http://www.nycaviation.com/2013/07/developing-ethiopian-boeing-787-involved-in-incident-at-london-heathrow/#.UeBCwlN5iRh

The airport was closed between 16:30BST and 18:00BST. Arrivals and departures were suspended, but the airport has reopened with delays stacking up.

The plane was on the ground parked.  No passengers were reported to be aboard during the fire

The plane involved is an Ethiopian Airlines plane – registered as  ET-AOP – A Boeing 787 Dreamliner. This was the first Dreamliner to re-enter service after the worldwide grounding of the 787 fleet.

According to the London Metropolitan police

 Cause of fire on a plane at Heathrow is unexplained and under investigation. No reports of injuries at this time.

The fire has damaged the top of the plane, forward of the tail according to this picture at https://twitter.com/raisinganchor/status/355729741552185344/photo/1. According to the airport the fire was an internal fire aboard the aircraft.

Flightradar has reported that Heathrow has reopened according to http://fr24.com/DLH3UT and Heathrow airport confirmed this, with delays expected.

Both the US National Transportation Safety Board and the UK Air Accident Investigation Branch are sending teams to investigate.

Story Developing

Comments

    • Tim J says

      I guess this is a good start. http://www.heathrowairport.com/
      “Important passenger information
      Due to an incident on an aircraft, all arrivals and departures are currently suspended. The Metropolitan Police Service have advised that there are no passengers on board.
      Please check the status of your flight with your airline before travelling to Heathrow.”

    • Kevincm says

      I’ve updated the post with a link to BBC news. I’m following this through twitter ATM.

      I’m also on my phone, and on my way home so it’s basic WordPress ATM.

  4. Tim J says

    Thanks for the report! I really hope that this is not due to a flaw in the type. I haven’t gotten to fly on a 787 yet and really want to try those windows.

    • Kevincm says

      The windows are quite fun. I had a play last year… On an ANA 787. It’s into trip report area of Ghettoife

  5. jason says

    That fire burned the carbon fiber. Very disturbing, as aluminum only burns and melts abouve 660 C or 1220 F. A very high temperature usually when fuel is present. Sorry but this plane is proving to be very unsafe and mark my words, this is just the beginning of Boeing’s nightmare !