Virgin Atlantic flight destined for New York faced an unexpected cancellation just moments before takeoff when a vigilant passenger noticed missing screws on the plane’s wing. British traveler Phil Hardy, 41, raised the alarm during a safety briefing on Flight VS127 at Manchester Airport on January 15. The passenger’s discovery prompted immediate action, with engineers called to conduct maintenance checks on the Airbus A330 aircraft scheduled for departure to John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Comforting News: A NYC Bound Virgin Atlantic Flight Was Canceled Just Before Taking Off After a PASSENGER Noticed That There Were Missing Bolts In The Wing https://t.co/9mWYLB1tJC pic.twitter.com/OO6dX7Ftmm
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 22, 2024
In a video captured by Hardy, an engineer is seen inspecting the wing and using a screwdriver to address the missing fasteners. Despite reassurances from airline staff that the wing’s safety was not compromised, Hardy expressed heightened concerns, citing recent aviation incidents. Notably, an Alaska Airlines plane had experienced a door plug loss and fuselage damage during a mid-flight incident.
Both Virgin Atlantic and Airbus emphasized that the missing screws had no impact on the safety of the aircraft. A Virgin Atlantic representative stated that the flight cancellation allowed for precautionary engineering maintenance checks, ensuring the safety of passengers and crew. The airline affirmed its commitment to exceeding industry safety standards and confirmed the aircraft’s return to service after inspections were completed.
#NYC-bound flight canceled when passenger notices missing bolts on plane wing.#VirginAtlantic
https://t.co/bwbSfuRGjw via @nypost— 🇺🇲⭐Sharonem⭐🇺🇲 MAGA RED (@Sharonema) January 22, 2024
Neil Firth, Airbus’s local chief wing engineer for A330, clarified that the affected panel was a secondary structure designed to enhance the plane’s aerodynamics. He reassured that the structural integrity and load capability of the wing were unaffected, with each panel featuring 119 fasteners. As a precautionary measure, the aircraft underwent additional maintenance, and the missing fasteners were replaced.
Passengers aboard the canceled flight were rebooked onto alternate flights to New York, and Virgin Atlantic issued an apology for the inconvenience caused. The incident highlights the importance of proactive safety measures in the aviation industry and the collaborative efforts of passengers, crew, and engineers in ensuring air travel security. Despite the initial disruption, the airline maintained its commitment to prioritizing safety and promptly addressing potential concerns raised by vigilant passengers.
