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Emirates A380 Returns to Heathrow After Landing‑Gear Door Fault on New Year’s Eve

Airline engineers are inspecting the jet, with passengers rebooked on later services.

Overview

  • Flight EK002 to Dubai took off from Heathrow at about 2:32pm and turned back shortly after departure following the reported gear‑door issue.
  • The A380 held at roughly 10,000 feet over south‑east London for about 90 minutes to burn fuel because it was above maximum landing weight.
  • Observers reported the landing gear remained visible during the hold before the aircraft touched down safely at 4:28pm with emergency services on standby.
  • Emirates said passengers and crew disembarked without injury and that all travelers will be accommodated on future flights, offering an apology for the disruption.
  • The aircraft is being examined in London to determine the technical cause, with some outlets noting unconfirmed details such as a later departure slot and an estimated 500 passengers.