Concorde lands safely in Barbados after engine problems
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AP) — A British Airways Concorde with 73 people aboard developed engine problems shortly after take-off from Barbados but was able to land safely in the Caribbean island, officials said yesterday.
No one was hurt on the Saturday flight, which was on its way to London’s Heathrow International Airport, British Airways spokesman Al Gilkes said.
The plane experienced problems with a booster part, which provides supersonic power after take-off, Gilkes said. The captain recognised the problem after he took off before midday Saturday, he said.
The reheat booster is responsible for making the Concorde break the sound barrier, enabling it to make it from Barbados to London in 3 1/2 hours instead of the normal eight hours, Gilkes said.
The passengers never were in any danger and the plane could have flown safely to London, he said.
The passengers were taken to hotels because the captain decided to remain at the airport overnight for spare parts not available in Barbados. They were due to arrive on the island late yesterday, the spokesman said.
The plane remained grounded yesterday and Gilkes could not say when the aircraft would depart Barbados’ Grantley Adams International Airport.
On February 27, an Air France Concorde with 47 people aboard lost two pieces of its rudder during its flight from Paris but was able to land safely at John F Kennedy airport in New York.
Concordes, the world’s only supersonic passenger jets, resumed flying about 15 months ago after being grounded following a deadly crash in France. British Airways and Air France are the only airlines flying in the Concorde.
The Concorde resumed its services to Barbados December 1, 2001, and flies the route once a week on Saturdays during the winter season, which runs December 1 to April 13.
Meanwhile, British Airways said nearly two weeks ago that the airline is considering taking its Concorde jets out of service altogether due to a drop in demand.
The airline is reviewing the service, which also includes New York, and a decision is expected in the months to come.