Livestream captures moment plane's wheel crashes to the ground after take-off
A livestream captured the moment a transatlantic flight lost one of its main landing‑gear wheels, sending it crashing below, during take‑off from Las Vegas, leaving passengers unsure if the aircraft would complete the long journey.The Airbus A350‑1000 craft, measuring over 200ft in length and carrying hundreds of people, lost its right‑rear wheel as it ascended from the runway at Harry Reid International Airport on Monday evening.No injuries were reported, though the aircraft has since been withdrawn from service for inspection. Footage from an automated airport feed captured the dramatic incident which the airline says it is looking into.Emergency services were reportedly on standby as the plane landed, as a precaution, but were not needed. Most planes carry eight tyres on the main landing gear, and, according to PYOK, one reason for having so many is to continue taking off and landing safely in case a tyre bursts or is lost.One major danger in losing a wheel during takeoff is damage caused to property below or people being hit by it, but no injuries were reported in Vegas."Safety and security underpins everything we do and we’re supporting the authorities with their investigations," the airline said in a statement to The Mirror.Flight news network AIRLIVE has reported that the aircraft has since been taken out of service as a review continues and repairs are made. The publication adds that, rather than diverting to a nearby airport, the decision to continue is "often made in consultation with airline operations and engineering teams, provided the aircraft’s safety systems remain within acceptable margins".It is not the first time a wheel has come loose from a plane shortly after take-off, as a similar incident took place in 2024 when a United Airlines flight taking off from San Francisco International Airport lost a wheel, which could also be seen on video hurtling towards the ground as the plane flew off without it.
