Ethiopean 787 fire at Heathrow
 

Both runways apparently closed, ATIS saying AFRS Cat Zero.

Pilots are being asked for preferred alternative airports - something to do with "fire cover"??

lots of aircraft holding and a BA 320 has just diverted to Luton

The word on Tw*tter is that it's an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft on fire.

Posted on Tw*tter:

https://twitter.com/DaPakiGuy/status...943234/photo/1

R4 saying Ethiopian Airlines

Hearing talk of Ethiopian 787 fire?!?

@HeathrowAirport "Due to an incident on an aircraft, arrivals and departures are currently suspended. @metpoliceuk advise that no passengers are on board."

@FlightRadar24 "Latest reports says it's Ethiopian 787 ET-AOP"

sky news showing ethiopian airlines 787. saying fire towards the rear of aircraft. looks as though it is out now. could it be the infamous electrical panel in the back????

Sky news currently showing live footage from helicopter of the aircraft parked at gate, entry doors on RHS open (no slides), no signs of damage certainly to RHS but lots of water/foam on the ramp below the aircraft and fire crews in attendance but no obvious signs of "urgency".

Crews now appear to be carefully examining lower rear RHS of aircraft with ladder in place against hull side but hold doors remain closed.

Also a TOM 787 returning to MAN after holding for 3 hours over the Irish Sea. Just flown downwind and had his gear down at about 6000 feet. Not sure how long it's been down for but could point to a hydraulic issue. The Daily Mail's going to have a field day over this.

Why close the airport if plane at the gate and fire is out?

lack of fire cover and foam.

The little details that are so easily forgotten - by those who don't work in that environment.

Doubtful that they'd deploy foam (or water) unless there was an active fire. That's more likely to delay it getting back in the air.

@lookingforajob

http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps98964653.jpg

foam there?

@skytrax
 

Runways are closed because in the event of another emergency, fire crews would be unavailable as they are dealing with the current situation.

The fire damaged hole in its roof near the tailplane will probably do more to delay it getting into the air again!
What is under there?

It looks from the photo (and I realise that appearances can be deceptive) like a pretty minor event, quite surprised that an airfield the size of LHR can't cope with that and still provide enough fire cover to at least keep one runway open.