United Airlines flight returns to Heathrow after 'maintenance' issue
A United Airlines flight was forced to circle the English Channel after returning to Heathrow Airport following a 'maintenance' issue.
The flight was expected to land back at Heathrow at 1.15pm on Thursday, but circled at 12,000 ft to burn of fuel for a few hours first.
The service, carrying 227 passengers and a crew of 13, left Heathrow at 11am bound for Newark, New Jersey, but was forced to divert shortly after takeoff, reports ITV News.
Passengers took to social media to share their experience, with one, Marcus Mollinga, tweeting a host of updates.
Scary flight!! Had to turn around and fly back to Heathrow 5 hours after take off!
- Marcus Mollinga (@Marcus_Mollinga) December 17, 2014
Flying in circles for bloody 5 hours!! #UA28pic.twitter.com/k4i6Qb8mPe
- Marcus Mollinga (@Marcus_Mollinga) December 17, 2014
#ua28 not looking good! pic.twitter.com/cijA7nOE8B
- Marcus Mollinga (@Marcus_Mollinga) December 17, 2014
#UA28 dropping fuel over the English Channel! pic.twitter.com/tJxQWF1SPO
- Marcus Mollinga (@Marcus_Mollinga) December 17, 2014
United airlines are useless - on a re scheduled flight now.. Just been told plane is not fit to fly because of maintenance issues 1/2
- Marcus Mollinga (@Marcus_Mollinga) December 18, 2014
5 minutes later they're saying the plane is fit to fly. What is going on UNITED AIRLINES!?!!! 2/2
- Marcus Mollinga (@Marcus_Mollinga) December 18, 2014
According to Channel 4, a spokesman for United Airlines said: "Our maintenance team is currently inspecting the aircraft. Our customer service team at Heathrow is providing assistance to customers and is making arrangements for them to complete their journeys.
"We regret any inconvenience experienced by our customers."
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