British Airways plane bursts into flames on Las Vegas runway

A British Airways to flight to London burst into flames moments before take off on a Las Vegas runway with 172 people on board.

Hundreds of people were evacuated from the Gatwick bound flight after it suffered “catastrophic engine failure” seconds before it was due to take off.

Terrified passengers, including children, used emergency slides to escape from the stricken aircraft.

One passenger, Ian Payne, told Channel 4 News that one woman was trampled in the crush to get off the aircraft after one of the emergency slides which he said initally failed to inflate.

Mr Payne said he had been sitting with friends in seats over the wing when he heard a loud bang. In the following moments he saw dark black smoke and says that he alerted BA staff telling them that passengers must be evacuated because of the fire.

The aircraft had been taxiing along the runway at McCarran Airport when the engine burst into flames.

Everyone was evacuated but 14 people – including crew and passengers – were taken to hospital. Seven people are being treated for minor injuries.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the fire broke out in the left engine of the 257-seat Boeing 777 shortly after 4.00pm (11.00pm BST) and the crew immediately aborted takeoff and ordered an evacuation.

“Passengers deplaned on the runway using emergency slides and (were) bused to the terminal,” FAA spokesman Ian Gregor told AFP.

“The aircraft, a 777-200 experienced a technical issue as it was preparing for takeoff from McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas” heading for London.

British Airways described the cause of the fire as being due to a “technical issue.”