Close Call! Flight In London Takes Off With Two Missing Windows, Crew Catches Safety Hazard At 15,000 Ft In Air

In a bizarre incident, a plane departing from Stansted Airport in London managed to take off despite two missing windows, resulting from damage sustained during a filming event.

What Happened?

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An inquiry into the Airbus A321, a plane that had previously carried passengers such as King Charles and Rishi Sunak, revealed the cause of its missing windows.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) reported that the aircraft returned to the airport after a crew member noticed the significant issue shortly after takeoff.

Following the plane's return to Stansted, the AAIB inspection uncovered that two window panes were missing and an additional two were not properly in place. In the absence of the window panes, the only barrier between the aircraft's cabin and the external environment was the thin plastic screen designed to prevent direct contact with the actual window panes of the plane.

Why Did It Happen?

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The incident occurred a day after the?aircraft had been used for filming, where powerful lights were arranged around it to create the illusion of a sunrise.

Upon inspection, it was discovered that the foam around the damaged windows had melted or was absent, and the glass panes themselves were deformed and shrunk.

According to the AAIB, safety guidelines stipulate that the lights should have been positioned no closer than 10 metres to the plane.

However, they were found to be situated between six and nine metres from the windows. The lights remained directed at one side of the plane for five and a half hours and were set up on the other side for four hours.

How Was The Missing Windows Caught In Time?

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The aircraft, operated by Titan Airways, was carrying 11 crew members and nine passengers when the missing windows were detected. A crew member noticed an issue with the seal around one of the windows shortly after takeoff and reported it. Despite having reached an altitude of almost 15,000 feet, the decision was made to return to the airport.

Fortunately, the subsequent AAIB investigation revealed that "the cabin had remained pressurised normally," ensuring the safety of those on board.