Full deployment of the left main landing gear was prevented by the unrestrained end of the number #6 brake torque rod having become trapped in the keel beam structure within the gear bay, jamming the landing gear in a partially deployed position. Virgin Atlantic still uses the flight number 024 on Los Angeles—London route, but instead of the Airbus A340-300, there flies either a Boeing 787-9 or an Airbus A350-1000. [8] See also [ edit ] The torque pin which had connected the No. 6 brake torque rod to the wheel brake had disengaged during the landing gear was retracted after takeoff from Los Angeles, allowing the unrestrained rod to pivot freely about the retained end.

At 05:09 flight VS024 departed from the runway No. 24L in Los Angeles with a 19-minute delay. While climbing, the crew noticed that it took the landing gear a bit longer to retract. However, because no warning signals came on the pilot didn't pay attention for it. [6] :3Virgin Atlantic Flight 024 was a regularly scheduled Virgin Atlantic passenger flight from Los Angeles, California, to London, United Kingdom. On 5 November 1997, an Airbus A340 operating the flight was forced to make an emergency landing in London Heathrow Airport after the left main landing gear didn't deploy. During the landing, the aircraft was damaged and after repaired. All 114 passengers and crew aboard survived, but 7 passengers were slightly injured during evacuation. [1] [2] [3] Aircraft [ edit ] As planned, after the landing the 1st and the 4th engines were turned off, the 2nd and the 3rd engine were turned off as planned too. The captain tried to hold the left wing in the air as long as possible, what led to the engine number 4 (the outer right one) to touch the runway. As the plane lost speed, the 1st and 2nd engine touched the runway and caused a short fire. The tyres on the right main landing gear burst. When the nose gear touched the runway the plane started to veer to the left. As the plane came to a stop, the cabin crew started the evacuation, where 7 passengers were slightly injured. [6] :6–7 Cause [ edit ]

The torque pin which had connected No 6 brake torque rod to that wheel brake assembly had disengaged during landing gear retraction after take off from Los Angeles, allowing the unrestrained rod to pivot freely about the retained end. Once all options to manually lower the gear had been exhausted, the cabin crew were instructed to prepare the passenger cabin for an emergency landing. Passengers were reminded of the brace position and to expect to disembark via the emergency evacuation slides once the aircraft came to a halt after landing.The flight crew of Virgin Atlantic flight VS024 responded to the in-flight emergency with commendable judgement and conducted a skilful landing, with the Airport Emergency Services in full and effective attendance. The evacuation was completed with minor injuries to 5 passengers and 2 crew members. The post-evacuation handling of the passengers and crew was efficient and effective. Only minor evacuation injuries were sustained by the evacuees of Virgin Atlantic flight VS024. The aircraft was an Airbus A340-311, registered G-VSKY with serial number 016. It made its first flight on 3 November 1993, and was delivered soon after to Virgin Atlantic on 21 January 1994. At the time of the accident the aircraft flew 19,323 hours. It was fitted with four CFM International CFM56-5C2 low-bypass turbofan engines. [4] [5] [6] :10 Incident [ edit ]