https://www.flightradar24.com/blog/aaib-says-film-lights-caused-window-damage-on-titan-a321neo/ Flightradar24 Blog Search [ ] Close this search box. [flightradar24_logo_transparent-300x71][svg] UTC Search [ ] Blog > Flight Tracking News > Aircraft Incident > AAIB says film lights caused window damage on Titan A321neo [G-OATW][svg] Blog > Flight Tracking News > Aircraft Incident > AAIB says film lights caused window damage on Titan A321neo AAIB says film lights caused window damage on Titan A321neo Share this article Ian PetchenikIan Petchenik Ian Petchenik * Updated: November 3, 2023 * Aircraft had been part of filming the day prior to flight * High-powered lights were placed near the fuselage * The seals on the windows melted and the panes deformed due to the heat In a newly released special bulletin, the UK's Air Accident Investigation Branch says that damage to a Titan Airways A321neo's windows was the result of heat generated by high powered film lamps used during a project the day prior to the incident flight. The high powered lamps led to deformation of the window pane and melting of the window seal. AAIB report Figure 2 showing the film lights pointed at the fuselage AAIB report Figure 2 showing the film lights pointed at the fuselage Incident flight The day after the film shoot, G-OATW was scheduled to position from London to Orlando with only crew onboard. The flight departed London's Stansted Airport at 12:15 local time. Shortly after passing 10,000 feet the loadmaster on board was walking through the cabin and noticed a dramatic increase in cabin noise. They located the source of the noise as a dislodged window pane aft of the over wing exit. The damage to the window viewed in flight aboard G-OATW.The damage to the window viewed in flight aboard G-OATW. After informing the pilots, the aircraft stopped climbing having reached a maximum altitude of 14,500 feet and the crew prepared a return to Stansted. The aircraft remained properly pressurized throughout the flight. Flight path of G-OATW during the incident flightFlight path of G-OATW during the incident flight After landing The aircraft landed back at Stansted after 36 minutes in the air, vacating the runway without assistance. A post-flight inspection revealed damage to the three windows on the left side of the aircraft aft of the over wing exit. AAIB report figure showing the extent of the exterior damage to G-OATWAAIB report figure showing the extent of the exterior damage to G-OATW Only the damage to one of the windows was visible during flight, but the post-flight inspection revealed two missing window panes and a damaged third window pane as well. A fourth window pane was notice protruding from the surface of the fuselage. Upon removal of the sidewall, investigators noted melted foam liners on the affected windows. Figure from AAIB report showing melted foam liners on the affected windows.Figure from AAIB report showing melted foam liners on the affected windows. Damage to the left leading edge of the horizontal stabilizer was noted as well. Investigators found acrylic in the puncture, consistent with a window pane. The investigation continues as the AAIB and French BEA will work to determine the precise series of events that led to the damaged areas of the windows and how to safely mitigate risks due to high-powered lights in the future. This incident, however, is not the first time a window has been melted by high-powered film lighting. Read the AAIB special notice Images courtesy UK AAIB special notice unless otherwise noted. Featured image (c) William Pierre. * Published: November 3, 2023 On The Radar LogoOn The Radar Logo Get the latest aviation news delivered to you Get the latest aviation news delivered to you Flight tracking and aviation industry news direct to your inbox Aviation news comes quickly, so join more than 600,000 others who receive weekly aviation industry and flight tracking news from Flightradar24 direct to their inbox. * The best aviation photos * Bite-sized aviation news * Exclusive flight tracking data Share this article Ian PetchenikIan Petchenik Ian Petchenik Ian Petchenik's love of aviation began at an early age growing up next to Chicago's O'Hare Airport. As Flightradar24's director of communications and co-host of the AvTalk podcast Ian now gets to share that passion for aviation with millions of Flightradar24 users and listeners around the world. Ian PetchenikIan Petchenik Ian Petchenik Ian Petchenik's love of aviation began at an early age growing up next to Chicago's O'Hare Airport. As Flightradar24's director of communications and co-host of the AvTalk podcast Ian now gets to share that passion for aviation with millions of Flightradar24 users and listeners around the world. Useful flight tracking glossary View our glossary of terms which you may encounter either on our site or in aviation in general that we hope enriches your flight tracking experience. View the glossary >> About Flightradar24 Flightradar24 is a global flight tracking service that provides you with real-time information about thousands of aircraft around the world. Find out more >> Don't miss out on the latest Flightradar24 videos! Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see our latest videos as soon as they're published! Subscribe [Video][svg] Latest video [802619_1696173787-768x520][svg] Video: Delightful Airlink flights Johannesburg-Vilankulos - Trip Report Watch all our videos [flightradar24_logo_transparent][svg] Try the full Flightradar24 experience free for 7 days [gold_medal][svg] Learn more | Try free for 7 days See all subscription plans On The Radar LogoOn The Radar Logo Get weekly updates on Flightradar24 and have the latest aviation news land in your inbox. * The best aviation photos * Bite-sized aviation news * Exclusive flight tracking data AvTalk LogoAvTalk Logo AvTalk Episode 242: Quit horsing around back there Listen now How flight tracking works Flightradar24 combines data from several data sources including ADS-B, MLAT and radar data. Find out more >> Search the blog [ ] Search Trending articles [74794_1397854822-300x204][svg] How do pilots avoid Wake Turbulence? [G-OATW-300x173][svg] AAIB says film lights caused window damage on Titan A321neo [Nairobi-300x204][svg] Africa and Middle East route updates - October 2023 Newly activated ADS-B receiver kits in the Flightradar24 network during October 2023.Newly activated ADS-B receiver kits in the Flightradar24 network during October 2023. New Flightradar24 ADS-B Receivers Activated in October 2023 Follow us Facebook-f Youtube Linkedin-in Latest AvTalk Podcasts AvTalk_Podcast_LogoAvTalk_Podcast_Logo AvTalk Episode 241: Want to run the most secretive airline in the world? AvTalk_Podcast_LogoAvTalk_Podcast_Logo AvTalk Episode 240: First officer threatens to shoot captain over medical diversion AvTalk_Podcast_LogoAvTalk_Podcast_Logo AvTalk Episode 239: Event Horizon AvTalk_Podcast_LogoAvTalk_Podcast_Logo AvTalk Episode 238: The greatest reinvention of an airline in the history of aviation [QantasLink_A220-01-300x200][svg] Qantas unveils incredible first A220 livery The first QantasLink A220 will soon make its way from [Las-America-300x229][svg] Latin American route updates - November 2023 After the monthly update of the United States and Canada [San-Diego-300x204][svg] United States and Canada route updates - November 2023 After concluding with the global market update for October, we [629500_1696024632-300x171][svg] The oldest and newest aircraft in the Air France fleet Air France (AF/AFR) is one of Europe's most iconic carriers. Related news RA-73805 in a field after a forced landing due to lack of fuel. RA-73805 in a field after a forced landing due to lack of fuel. Ural Airlines A320 forced landing in a field A Ural Airlines A320 operating from Sochi to Omsk was attempting to divert to Novosibirsk when the aircraft ran out of fuel and was forced [AAY485_EDG86_Airprox_Image-300x203][svg] FAA investigating Allegiant and JetEdge airprox over Florida The US Federal Aviation Administration is investigating how an Allegiant Air A320 and JetEdge Gulfstream G-IV came within just a few miles of each other at the same altitude off the coast of Florida on Sunday. [N666UA-300x204][svg] United 767 escape slide escapes A United Airlines flight from Zurich to Chicago arrived one escape slide short this week. Flight UA12, operated by a 767-300ER (N666UA), was on final [FztnjxOXsAAFMhW-300x225][svg] Delta flight lands in Charlotte without nose gear extended A Delta Air Lines (DL-DAL) flight made a successful landing in Charlotte (CLT) without its nose gear deployed on Wednesday. The 717-200 (N955AT) was operating flight DL1092 Flight tracking top 10 aircraft Explore the top 10 most tracked aircraft and find out why these particular aircraft draw so much interest. Track the aircraft types Help to grow our flight tracking coverage We are continually looking to improve our flight tracking and the airports below are where new receivers will add the most coverage. Apply for a receiver today and if accepted you'll receiver a free Flightradar24 Business Subscription. Apply for a free receiver Free ADS-B ReceiverFree ADS-B Receiver Latest videos [CRJ-300x177][svg] Video: Keeping aircraft fit for flight | exclusive Ljubljana maintenance tour [767-300x177][svg] Video: How to take apart a 767 | behind the scenes with AviaPrime in Belgrade [Lego-300x180][svg] Video: We built LEGO Concorde from start to finish (and you can win one!) Special Aircraft Tracking Alaska Airlines' new Xaat Kwaani special livery honoring the native "Salmon People" of Alaska.Alaska Airlines' new Xaat Kwaani special livery honoring the native "Salmon People" of Alaska. Alaska Airlines unveils stunning new Xaat Kwaani livery A poseidon military jet followed by red arrows fighter jets, in flight, trailing smoke, with clouds and blue sky behindA poseidon military jet followed by red arrows fighter jets, in flight, trailing smoke, with clouds and blue sky behind How to track the King's Coronation flypast on Flightradar24 [Moomin-Finnair-A350-Closeup-300x169][svg] Follow Finnair's 100th anniversary Moomin liveries A321 MSN7877 and Falcon20 DLR for VOLCAN test campaign.A321 MSN7877 and Falcon20 DLR for VOLCAN test campaign. SAF sniffing: emissions research with Airbus and DLR Featured Articles A350 flight deckA350 flight deck Flying over the North Pole from Tokyo to Helsinki [F-WNOV-preparing-for-flight-300x225][svg] Weightless: parabolic flight on an A310 [81409_1660465179-300x191][svg] SPAR19 becomes the most tracked flight of all time Finnair A350 new cabinsFinnair A350 new cabins Finnair reveals new (gorgeous) long-haul cabins Flightradar24 logoFlightradar24 logo Try the full Flightradar24 experience free for 7 days [gold_medal][svg] Remove ads and unlock over 50 additional features Learn more | Try free for 7 days See all subscription plans Flightradar24 logoFlightradar24 logo Listen to our podcast [AvTalk_White_Landscape][svg] AvTalk Episode 242: Quit horsing around back there Download the App [Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge-1-1024x304][svg] [google-play-badge-1][svg] Follow Us Facebook-f Youtube Linkedin-in Flight tracking * Aircraft data * Airport data * Flight data About Us * About Flightradar24 * Careers * Contact us * Press & media * Release history * FAQs Commercial Services * Data services * App integration Useful Resources * Aviation glossary * Forum * JetPhotos * myFlightradar24 * FAQs * Aviation newsletter On The Radar LogoOn The Radar Logo Get weekly updates on Flightradar24 and have the latest aviation news land in your inbox. Copyright (c) 2023 Flightradar24 AB | Privacy | Terms * [image-1-1][svg] * Flight tracker map * Blog + Podcast + Newsletter + Videos + Special Events + Inside Flightradar24 + Aviation Explainer + Aviation business + Incidents & Accidents + Glossary * Aviation Data + Airlines + Aircraft + Flights + Pinned flights + Statistics + Search + Airport disruption map * Email alerts * Subscriptions plans [icon-premi][svg] * Add Coverage + Overview + Apply for free receiver + Build your own receiver + Share your data + Data sharer statistics * Commercial services + Data services + App Integration * Press & media center * About + About + Apps + Contact us + How it works + Glossary + FAQ + Careers + Privacy policy + Terms and conditions * MyFR24 - flight logbook * JetPhotos - Aviation photos * Forum [Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge-1-1024x304][svg] [google-play-badge-1][svg] [newsletter][svg] Subscribe to newsletter [blog][svg] Check out blog [podcast][svg] Listen to the podcast [watch-videos-icon][svg] Watch videos Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin-in Youtube Weibo On The Radar LogoOn The Radar Logo Get the Flightradar24 Aviation newsletter Flight tracking and aviation industry news direct to your inbox Aviation news comes quickly, so we want to bring more of the aviation world to you with our weekly Flightradar24 aviation newsletter - On The Radar. * The best aviation photos * Bite-sized aviation news * Latest Flightradar24 videos * Skyart and flight tracking events * Exclusive flight tracking data * Flight tracking statistics On The Radar LogoOn The Radar Logo [ ] Sign me up!