Midair scare as cracked window forces emergency diversion back to airport

A British Airways flight (not pictured) was traveling from London Gatwick Airport to Faro, Portugal, on Oct.13 when the aircraft had to reverse course over France and return to London.(John Keeble/Getty Images)

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A cracked window reportedly caused the diversion, though British Airways cited only an unspecified technical issue.

During the incident, the flight crew transmitted a7700 emergency code, according to flight tracker AirNav Radar.

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�s transponder to alert air traffic controllers to an emergency.

“That lights up on the radar screen, and it lets air traffic control know there’s an event going on,” Arroyo said.

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The code itself does not tell controllers exactly what is wrong, he noted. 

Pilots can then communicate with air traffic control about the nature of the problem and what assistance they might need.

The unexpected return reportedly came after a passenger window cracked during the flight (not pictured).(iStock)

Arroyo saidaircraft passenger windowsare made with multiple layers, so the seriousness of a crack depends on where the damage is located. 

In a more serious situation, damage could affect the aircraft’s ability to maintain cabin pressure, Arroyo said. 

However, a crack can also be less severe and prompt crews to land as a precaution.

When deciding whether tocontinue a flight or divert, Arroyo said crews consider several factors, with safety taking priority.

Returning to Gatwick would allow the pilots to land before the cracked window could worsen, he said.

Experts say aircraft passenger windows are made with multiple layers, and the severity of a crack depends on where the damage occurs.(iStock)

Arroyo advised any passengers who spot window damage to alert a flight attendant rather than assuming they know it exists.

“The pilots want this kind of information,” he said, noting that passengers can help cabin crews identify something that may need further attention.

Damage could affect the aircraft’s ability to maintain cabin pressure.

A passenger windowbecame dislodged shortly after the aircraft departed Thessaloniki, Greece, and a 61-year-old passenger was nearly pulled outside during the resulting loss of cabin pressure. 

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Other passengers helped pull him back inside, according to reports.

The aircraft returned safely to Thessaloniki, while the passenger was taken for medical treatment with neck and shoulder injuries and friction burns.

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