The Flight that went DARK | British Airways 870



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October 22nd, 2005

Moments after takeoff from London Heathrow, a British Airways flight is plunged into darkness.

With nothing to guide him but the faint horizon out the window, the captain struggles to keep the plane flying level.

82 lives hang in the balance, as the pilots try to figure out what to do next.

This is a story about how people make decisions under pressure, and it’s a story about the forces that influence their decisions.

This is the story of British Airways flight 870.

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Final Report: https://www.aviation-accidents.net/report-download.php?id=187

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23 thoughts on “The Flight that went DARK | British Airways 870”

  1. It's honestly terrifying that Airbus was using dangerous kapton wiring insulation well into the 2000s, and the fact the cause of this failure was never determined.

    Maybe we need to ditch Airplane of the Year 1987 for something a bit more modern too?

    Reply
  2. To all the “why didn’t they have a torch” brigade. The AAIB report says that emergency torches were available on the aircraft but were not used. The first officer was able to locate the required switches. The systems were restored after 90 seconds. No drama.

    Reply
  3. As an A320 pilot with 28 years on type, we were alerted to this issue / trap of the AC ESS BUS ALTN needing to be pressed back in 1999! I would have expected better from what was then touted as the "world's favourite airline".

    Reply
  4. I love your channel and your videos are excellent. Better than a certain TV series of the same format. That said, and I mean this constructively, I think the pacing could've been better on this one. This video was too long with too many dragged out details on why this plane had issues. The level of buildup was equivalent to that off a flight ending in tragedy. Your more frequent viewers can see that this one isn't going to end up that way.

    Reply
  5. This is totally weird.
    Once electrical power restored, the APU running as a back up…….and no other alarm showing on the ECAM, which would call a check list…….you quickly assess the global state of the aircraft and land. What’s the use of calling maintenance when you are so close to the airport and with nice weather ?
    I just cannot believe that the captain decided to continue………that is appalling airmanship and appalling management on BA part.
    Not once did my airline question my decisions even if awkward commercially. It had many flaws, but not that one. And what if….? that wouldn’t have made a whiff of difference

    Reply
  6. A torch would have been useful.. I understand stress can make you think differently, but even using a mobile phone light that both pilots surely have would have helped?

    The wife and I have literally flown back from Turkey last night… My wife isn’t a fan of flying, and approaching the UK in deteriorating weather and cloud, the flight & landing was bumpy to say the least..

    Reply
  7. The video ends with saying that the software has since been updated to switch to alternate power supply in the event of power failure, but is the software (or the sensors it depends on) fast enough to have enough power to signal the computer to use the alternative?

    Reply
  8. Desk jockeys back at the Home Office should not be making decisions that can affect passengers lives. They're looking at the dollars and cents. Pilots are looking ar the safty of themselves and their passengers and I want them making every decision when my family and I are aboard!

    Reply
  9. Hello my good sir, pleasee make a video of Air Philippines 541 which is the deadliest aircraft accident in the Philippines. I believe the crash was purely human error which took 131 lives. 🥺🥺

    Reply
  10. This was a thrilling ride! I am no captain, but I would have returned to the departure airport if it took 40 mins to decide whether to continue or not, given the grave failure of even the PFD going out like that. No financial loss is worth risking lives.

    Reply

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