On December 29, 2014, a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747-400 en route from London Gatwick Airport to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (now Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport) encountered a critical landing gear issue that forced the crew to execute a non-standard landing procedure.
Flight Details and Crew
Virgin Atlantic flight VS43 departed Gatwick at 11:44 local time with 447 passengers and 15 crew members onboard. The aircraft, registered as G-VROM, was one of Virgin Atlantic’s Boeing 747-400 quadjets, known for their high-capacity seating arrangements.
Landing Gear Malfunction and Emergency Landing
Shortly after takeoff, the crew received warnings indicating low quantity and pressure in hydraulic system 4, suggesting a hydraulic fluid leak. Despite circling off the North Devon coast for an hour to burn fuel and conduct checks, the issue persisted. As the aircraft approached Gatwick for landing, the right wing landing gear struck the gear door, preventing the gear leg from fully deploying.
Non-Standard Landing Procedure
Faced with this challenging situation, the crew opted for a non-standard landing procedure, utilizing the aircraft’s three remaining sets of wheels. Low passes over the airfield allowed ground personnel to assess the situation, and further fuel was burned while circling over Sussex Downs.
Safe Landing and Operational Disruption
At around 15:45, the aircraft successfully landed despite the unconventional landing gear configuration. However, due to the risk of taxiing or turning with one set of wheels not fully extended, the jet remained on the runway for several hours, causing significant operational disruption at Gatwick.
Investigation and Cause
Subsequent investigations revealed that the incorrect installation of the right wing landing gear’s hydraulic retract actuator was the root cause of the malfunction. Thankfully, no injuries were reported during the incident, and passengers were able to depart for Las Vegas the following day.
Aviation Safety Lessons
The Virgin Atlantic 747 gear incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of thorough pre-flight inspections, proper maintenance procedures, and crew training in handling unexpected emergencies. The successful execution of a non-standard landing procedure highlights the critical role of teamwork, communication, and situational awareness in ensuring aviation safety.
The aircraft, G-VROM, remained in service with Virgin Atlantic until its withdrawal in March 2020. Since December that year, it has flown for US carrier Atlas Air under the registration N481MC.
