Tire Flies Off British Airways Plane After Takeoff in Las Vegas

Dramatic video captured the incident at Harry Reid International Airport.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 9:07pm

A dramatic video captured the moment a tire flew off a British Airways plane shortly after takeoff from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on Monday evening. The Airbus A350 aircraft continued its flight to London's Heathrow Airport, where it landed safely. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident.

Why it matters

Incidents involving aircraft components detaching during flight raise serious safety concerns and can potentially put passengers at risk. This event highlights the need for rigorous maintenance and safety protocols to ensure the airworthiness of commercial aircraft.

The details

The incident occurred around 8:45 pm local time as British Airways flight 274 was taking off from the Las Vegas airport. Footage showed the plane lifting off the runway before one of its tires suddenly broke off and fell to the ground. The Airbus A350 wide-body jet, which typically carries between 300-350 passengers, continued its scheduled flight to London without further incident.

  • The incident occurred around 8:45 pm local time on Monday, January 30, 2026.

The players

British Airways

A major international airline based in the United Kingdom.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The U.S. government agency responsible for the regulation and oversight of civil aviation.

Airbus A350

A wide-body passenger aircraft manufactured by the European aerospace company Airbus.

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What’s next

The FAA will conduct a full investigation into the cause of the tire detachment to determine if any safety issues or maintenance problems contributed to the incident.

The takeaway

This event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of rigorous aircraft maintenance and safety protocols to ensure the continued airworthiness of commercial passenger jets and the safety of all who fly.