A United Airlines Boeing 767 passenger plane was forced to divert to London Heathrow after a fire broke out mid-flight. The crew declared an in-flight emergency and safely landed the aircraft.
The flight, operating as United 135, had departed from Zurich at 8:16am GMT and was climbing to 36,000 feet over France when the crew issued a squawk 7700 emergency broadcast. The aircraft had been en route to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, USA.
Approximately 50 minutes into the journey, the crew reported a general emergency and changed course, descending towards London. The plane touched down at Heathrow around 10:45am GMT, where fire engines and emergency response teams were on standby.
United Airlines confirmed that a small fire in a power outlet was quickly extinguished by the in-flight crew. Passengers deplaned normally at the gate, and the airline arranged alternative flights to their final destinations. The diversion was conducted as a precaution, and no injuries were reported.
