Aircraft forced to return to Stansted Airport due to 'loose windows'

An Airbus A321 Neo aircraft was found to have a missing outer panel in three windows, according to Titan Airways

A former UK government aircraft was forced to turn back to Stansted Airport due to loose windows, aviation authorities have said.

A Titan Airways Airbus A321 Neo, heading for Orlando, Florida with 21 staff on board, was forced to turn back on 4 October.

The aircraft has previously been used by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Titan Airways confirmed.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said an inquiry was under way.

Titan Airways confirmed to the BBC that the aircraft involved had "previously been used as part of our ongoing contract with the British Government".

However it was being used on behalf of another client on the day of the incident.

The aircraft returned to Stansted after members of the crew noticed increased noise and an issue with one of the windows.

Titan Airways said the outer panels in three windows were found to be missing.

The Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety in France reported the crew noticed "excessive cabin noise" at approximately 10,000ft (3,048m).

It said "three windows were found missing and loose, and damage to the LH stabiliser" was discovered.

Titan Airways said staff on board were unaffected and disembarked the aircraft in the normal way.

'Window panels missing'

In a statement on its website, Titan Airways said: "The crew became aware of increased noise in the cabin and an issue with one of the windows.

"The pilot did not declare an emergency and landed the aircraft safely, according to normal operating procedures. Emergency services at the airport were not activated.

"Following the landing it was discovered that the outer panel in three of the windows was missing. The matter was immediately reported to the relevant authorities and an investigation is now taking place," Titan said.

The aircraft involved was manufactured in 2021 and delivered to the airline in March of that year, it added.

Titan Airways said safety was its "primary concern" and it would work with investigating authorities and a team from Airbus to establish what happened.

A spokesperson for the AAIB said: "The AAIB is aware of a serious occurrence involving a passenger aircraft at London Stansted on 4 October. A team of inspectors attended the scene and we have begun an investigation."