BA117 747 to New York makes makes emergency return to Heathrow.

Due to difficulty keeping a door handle securely shut, a British Airways Boeing 747 destined for New York, made an emergency landing at Heathrow Airport, just 11 minutes after becoming airborne.

Due to the nature of the situation, the pilots halted their climb,  keeping the aircraft low as they flew over London, and returned quickly to Heathrow Airport.

The aircraft, G-CIVX, had 296 people on board, and arrived this morning from Lagos in Nigeria.

After take-off on runway 27R from Heathrow at around 9.20am, the aircraft climbed to 1,500ft and maintained this fairly low altitude whilst beginning making a left hand turn over Windsor and flying below 2,000ft towards London while south of the airport.

Turning left again they returned to runway 27L at Heathrow touching down shortly after 9.32am.

As the aircraft was loaded with a large quantity of fuel for the transatlantic voyage, it was very heavy for landing, and required full reverse power to slow, this caused an engine surge which can be scary though it is harmless. It also means the engine will need to be inspected for damage before being flown.