Tire Falls Off Plane Departing Las Vegas Airport

The landing gear incident led to no injuries or damage, officials say.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 1:15pm by Ben Kaplan

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A tire fell off a British Airways flight as it was taking off from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on Monday evening. The plane landed safely in London, and the tire was later retrieved from the airfield. This is not the first time an aircraft has experienced issues with its landing gear during takeoff.

Why it matters

While alarming, incidents involving aircraft losing parts during flight are relatively rare and generally do not pose a serious threat to passenger safety. However, they can disrupt airport operations and raise concerns about the overall maintenance and safety of commercial air travel.

The details

Around 8:45 p.m. on Monday, British Airways Flight 274 lost a tire just as it was taking off from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. The Airbus landed safely in London, and the tire was later retrieved from the Las Vegas airfield. Airport officials confirmed there were no reported injuries or damage to airport property.

  • On Monday, January 27, 2026, the incident occurred around 8:45 p.m. local time.
  • On Thursday, January 30, 2026, the same aircraft is scheduled to travel from London's Heathrow Airport to Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The players

British Airways

A major international airline based in the United Kingdom.

Harry Reid International Airport

The main airport serving the Las Vegas metropolitan area, located just south of downtown Las Vegas.

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The takeaway

While incidents involving aircraft losing parts during flight are concerning, they are relatively rare and generally do not pose a serious threat to passenger safety. This latest incident in Las Vegas serves as a reminder of the importance of rigorous aircraft maintenance and safety protocols to ensure the continued reliability and security of commercial air travel.