Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

FAA confirmed that the failure of one of the two GE Aviation GE90 engines powering a British Airways Boeing 777-200 caused the airliner to catch fire while taking off from Las Vegas McCarran International Airport earlier today. All 159 passengers and 13 crew evacuated the aircraft safely without any serious injuries and within just five minutes of the fire breaking out.

 


According to Jacob Steinberg, a reporter with the UK's Guardian newspaper who was on board the flight to London Gatwick Airport, passengers could see and smell smoke in the cabin and several reported seeing windows melting. He said that flight BA2276's captain had told passengers that the fire had been caused by "a catastrophic engine failure."

 


Spokespeople for British Airways and GE said that the companies are now investigating the accident. The aircraft started its takeoff roll at 4.13 p.m. local time, and all passengers had been evacuated via the 777's slides by 4.18 p.m.

News about significant aircraft accidents and information from accident reports.

Engine Failure Causes Fire on British Airways Boeing 777

The 777's captain told passengers the fire had been caused by catastrophic engine failure.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News and information about crew, passenger, aircraft and airport security issues.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Spanish charter carrier was operating flight for express package group DHL

Swiftair 737 Freighter Crashes On Approach to Vilnius

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Preparation and training resulted in a survivable accident

Bombardier Safety Standdown: Surviving the Fire

Aircraft caught fire and burned after hitting a vehicle

Five Killed in HondaJet Rejected Takeoff Crash at KFFZ

David Jack Kenny

Preliminary and final accident reports, November 2024

Business Aircraft Accident Reports: November 2024

Gordon Gilbert

Fatal accidents were down year over year from 12 to 10

Year-to-date Bizav Accidents Decline

Aircraft touched down on the runway then departed onto a grassy area

Passenger Lands King Air C90 after Pilot Medical Issue

Mark Huber

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

More In Accidents

Swiftair 737 Freighter Crashes On Approach to Vilnius

Spanish charter carrier was operating flight for express package group DHL

Bombardier Safety Standdown: Surviving the Fire

Preparation and training resulted in a survivable accident

Five Killed in HondaJet Rejected Takeoff Crash at KFFZ

Aircraft caught fire and burned after hitting a vehicle

Business Aircraft Accident Reports: November 2024

Preliminary and final accident reports, November 2024

Year-to-date Bizav Accidents Decline

Fatal accidents were down year over year from 12 to 10

Passenger Lands King Air C90 after Pilot Medical Issue

Aircraft touched down on the runway then departed onto a grassy area

Snowmobiler Who Collided with Army Helo Awarded $3.3M

Black Hawk had landed on a private airstrip that was also a snowmobile trail

Jury Awards $116M in Doors-off Helitour Crash

All five passengers drowned after autorotation into NYC's East River

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