American Airlines flight from Heathrow to Chicago turns back after emergency is declared onboard

 

A flight from London Heathrow to Chicago has turned around after an emergency was declared on board.

It is understood the plane was flying over Wales when it announced to passengers it was returning to Heathrow.

The American Airlines flight took off shortly after 12.20pm but turned back around 20 minutes later.

The plane, said to be a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, dumped fuel before heading back to Heathrow.

American Airlines confirmed via Twitter the reason for the plane returning to London was a ‘mechanical issue’.

The exact cause of the fault has not yet been revealed by the airline.

A spokesman for Heathrow Airport confirmed the plane landed safely just after 1pm.

An American airlines spokesman said: ‘AA87, a Boeing 787, flying from LHR-ORD returned to Heathrow shortly after takeoff due to a mechanical Issue.

‘The flight landed without incident and the 203 passengers have deplaned while maintenance evaluates the aircraft. There was a crew of 11 onboard.’

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