British Airways flight BA295, travelling from London to Chicago, declared an emergency while flying over Ireland and is now diverting back to London, according to flight tracking data.
The aircraft was transmitting squawk 7700, the standard transponder code used to alert air traffic control about a general emergency.
The plane descended to around 9,000 feet while over Ireland after dropping approximately 28,000 feet within minutes.
The exact cause of the emergency has not been disclosed so far. However, a controlled rapid descent to an altitude below 10,000 feet can often be associated with cabin depressurisation.
Squawk 7700 is a four-digit code transmitted by an aircraft’s transponder to air traffic control.
It indicates that the crew requires assistance and a clear route but does not specify the nature of the emergency.
The incident comes days after the flydubai FZ1073 emergency that drew international attention. The flight diverted to Tabuk on September 30 after broadcasting an emergency squawk. Tracking data showed it lost 17,400 feet in under two minutes.
The co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with a crash axe and attempted to seize control before passengers subdued him.
