A British Airways aircraft en route to the UK encountered a medical emergency onboard, prompting the declaration of an emergency. Flight BA78 took off from Kotoka International Airport in Ghana at 10:25 p.m. local time on Sunday but had to divert to Lyon, France for an unscheduled landing.
The flight crew issued a Squawk 7700 – a standard international distress signal – while flying at an altitude of 38,000 feet. The decision to divert was made to ensure immediate medical attention for the affected passenger.
The Airbus A350-1000 landed safely at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport at 5:26 a.m. local time today as reported by AirLive. Following a two-hour stop for refueling, the aircraft resumed its journey to Heathrow.
This incident follows a recent event involving a United Airlines flight that had to evacuate due to an in-flight engine fire. The aircraft was en route from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Newark, New Jersey when air traffic control received reports of a fire in the left engine.
Returning safely to LAX around 11:20 a.m. local time on March 3, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner showed signs of smoke emanating from the engine while parked on the runway, according to ABC7 reports. All 256 passengers and 12 crew members were evacuated using emergency slides and airstairs, then transported by bus to the terminal without any major injuries.
United Airlines stated that efforts were underway to swiftly assist passengers in reaching their final destinations. With only one person sustaining a minor finger injury, the airline confirmed the safe deplaning and highlighted ongoing support for affected travelers.
The Federal Aviation Agency disclosed that the incident involving United Airlines Flight 2127 was due to a left engine issue, emphasizing the safe return to LAX and the upcoming investigation. In the statement, the FAA directed inquiries for further details to the airline and airport authorities.