THIS is the moment a UK flight packed with more than 200 people was forced to touch down in remote Russia after suffering a mid-air “engine failure”.
The Air China jet — travelling from London Heathrow to Beijing — made the emergency landing in the oil city of Nizhnevartovsk, deep in Siberia.
A Boeing 777 from London made an emergency landing in Siberia due to engine failure
The Air China jet, carrying over 300 passengers and crew, diverted to NizhnevartovskEast2West
Footage captured the Boeing 777 rolling onto the tarmac in Vladimir Putin’s territory — a rare sight for any flight out of Britain since Western airlines stopped using Russian airspace after the invasion of Ukraine.
The plane had taken off from Heathrow at 10.43pm last night before running into trouble over Russian airspace.
The stricken Boeing 777-39L(ER) was seen taxiing unaided after landing, despite one of its engines reportedly failing mid-flight.
Russian officials later confirmed the aircraft was carrying 267 people in total — including 20 children and the crew — slightly higher than initial reports of 265.
It’s not yet known if any Brits were on board.
Airport staff scrambled to handle the sudden arrival.
One eyewitness told Russian outlet Baza: “Airport services were on high alert for the unexpected guest.
“It’s not every year that such a flight from the UK arrives in Nizhnevartovsk.
“But they prepared quickly — a suitable boarding ramp was immediately brought to the plane.
“What happens next is still unknown.
“Most likely, the company will send a reserve aircraft along with technicians and parts, since local technicians definitely will not be able to repair such a large airliner in Nizhnevartovsk.”
But despite the ramp being brought, local media later reported the plane’s doors stayed shut and passengers were not allowed into the terminal.
Passengers now face uncertainty over where they will stay.
The city lies 1,435 miles east of Moscow, with limited facilities for such a large influx of travellers.
According to Baza, “it is also unknown where such a large number of passengers will stay during the time the reserve aircraft is en route”.
“It will be difficult to fit all the people in the local airport’s holding area,” the report added.
Even if hotels are made available, Westerners could struggle — British bank cards no longer work in Russia due to sanctions.
Dmitry Koschenko, mayor of Nizhnevartovsk, said the passengers remained stuck on board due to delays clearing the FSB-controlled border post.
“At the moment, the crew and passengers are still on board the aircraft because a decision is being made on whether [they will be allowed] to cross the state border,” he said.
He added that local officials were working on temporary accommodation in the airport’s international terminal while a reserve Air China aircraft was being dispatched.
Kremlin-friendly outlet Shot reported no food or drink had been supplied from the ground.
“Air China has not requested water or food for the passengers,” it said.
“They are eating what is still available on board. At the same time, all necessary services for passengers in Nizhnevartovsk are ready to be provided.
“The plane’s air conditioning and toilets are also working. Currently, the doors of the Boeing 777 liner are closed, and the boarding stairs have not been brought to the plane.”
Later reports said the Russian authorities relented and allowed the Boeing 777 passengers into the international terminal at Nizhnevartovsk airport after they had been held on the aircraft for around six hours.
“They will be served Russian food,” said outlet Shot.
The report said they had exhausted all the “Chinese and English food” intended for the London-Beijing flight.
The Foreign Office continues to warn against all travel to Putin’s country, with officials stressing foreigners risk detention or prosecution for activities seen as “against Russian interests”.
The pilots chose Nizhnevartovsk because the weather was clear and the long runway could safely handle the widebody jet, according to reports.
The Ural Transport Prosecutor’s Office has since confirmed the emergency landing.
The Sun has contacted Air China and the Foreign Office for more information.
East2WestThe flight departed Heathrow last night before touching down at Nizhnevartovsk airport on Tuesday morning[/caption]
The packed Boeing 777 reportedly stayed hours on the tarmac after the emergency landing Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
