Airlines
British Airways Jet Catches Fire After Pilot Confuses Controls During Takeoff
A British Airways plane aborted take-off at Gatwick after the co-pilot confused left and right controls, sparking a fire and grounding 23 flights.
In a startling aviation incident that disrupted operations at one of the UK’s busiest airports, a British Airways flight bound for Vancouver caught fire during take-off—after a co-pilot confused his left and right on the runway.
The dramatic error, which occurred at Gatwick Airport on June 28, 2024, forced the Boeing 777 to abort its take-off, triggered a landing gear fire, and led to widespread delays and cancellations.
A Critical Misstep on the Runway
According to a detailed report released by the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) on May 8, 2025, the incident unfolded just as the aircraft was powering up for takeoff. The co-pilot was meant to operate a control lever to his right, but in a surprising lapse, he used the wrong hand and moved the wrong control.
This error caused an unexpected application of the brakes while thrust was briefly increased, generating intense heat and igniting a fire in the landing gear.
Despite the alarming situation, the captain quickly took control, calmly aborting the take-off and coordinating with air traffic control to bring the aircraft to a safe stop.
Fire Breaks Out, Flights Disrupted
Emergency services were deployed immediately and successfully extinguished the fire. No injuries were reported among the passengers or crew. However, the incident forced Gatwick’s runway to close for 50 minutes, leading to the cancellation of 23 flights and delays for many more—a significant disruption at the height of travel operations.
The AAIB’s investigation did not find any signs of fatigue, stress, or scheduling conflicts, as the co-pilot’s last flight had occurred two weeks prior. The report noted that the co-pilot himself was surprised by his mistake and could not determine why it occurred.
The AAIB concluded that the incident highlights the challenges of “action slips” in aviation, even among experienced professionals. “Even seasoned pilots may benefit from mentally rehearsing routine procedures,” the report emphasized, particularly after a period of leave or reduced flying time.
British Airways Responds
In response to the report, British Airways reaffirmed its commitment to safety, stating,
“Our pilots brought the aircraft to a safe stop, prioritizing the safety of everyone on board.”
The airline commended the captain’s swift and methodical response, which likely prevented a more serious outcome. The incident has sparked renewed discussion within aviation circles about the importance of pre-flight mental checks, procedural reinforcement, and minimizing human error in high-stress situations.
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