---
title: "London-bound British Airways A350 turns back to Cape Town, reporting smoke in cockpit"
description: "A British Airways A350 which had departed Cape Town just before 7pm on Wednesday had to turn back almost three hours into the flight after smoke was reported in the cockpit. The aircraft made a safe landing around 10pm after turning back over Namibia."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "NEWSBREAK"
author: "Daily Maverick"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/dailymaverick/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-04-16-london-bound-british-airways-a350-turns-back-to-cape-town-reporting-smoke-in-cockpit/"
published: "2025-04-16T23:54:54"
updated: "2025-04-17T00:15:51"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 276
---

# London-bound British Airways A350 turns back to Cape Town, reporting smoke in cockpit

> A British Airways A350 which had departed Cape Town just before 7pm on Wednesday had to turn back almost three hours into the flight after smoke was reported in the cockpit. The aircraft made a safe landing around 10pm after turning back over Namibia.

By Daily Maverick · Published 17 April 2025, 01:54 SAST · Updated 17 April 2025, 02:15 SAST

## Key points
- An Airbus A350 bound for London had to make a dramatic U-turn back to Cape Town after smoke filled the cockpit, prompting a full-scale emergency response.
- Emergency at Cape Town International Airport as an Airbus A350 reported smoke in the cockpit, prompting a swift return to the airport.
- City of Cape Town's Fire & Rescue deployed four major pumps in response to the 'phase 2 emergency.'
- Passengers disembarked safely after the pilots managed to shut down engines and fuel supply upon landing.
- Unconfirmed reports suggest a fuel leak and temporary closure of the No 2 highway; the aircraft had a prior diversion incident on April 14.

## Content

JP Smith, mayoral committee member responsible for safety and security for the City of Cape Town, reported on his Facebook page: “Drama Unfolded at Cape Town Airport! This evening, our emergency services were put to the test at Cape Town International Airport. An Airbus A350, nearly 2 hours into its journey to London, radioed in with an emergency due to smoke filling the cockpit. The pilots swiftly turned the British Airways flight 58 plane around and headed back to Cape Town, where the airport’s emergency response teams were ready and waiting.”

![hhhghhh](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/PhZwTb0mfUB0la6ZozjoTch8EaU=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-16-at-23.25.53.png)

*A screenshot of the flight path of the British Airways A350 that turned back to Cape Town International Airport. (Screenshot: Anton G van Schoor Facebook)*

![huh](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/sDt8CtWWyA_e5cByYtuSDnd6D34=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-16-at-23.40.07.png)

*(Screenshot: Latest Sightings Cape Town Int'l Airport Facebook)*

He said City of Cape Town‘s Fire & Rescue was called in to “support the ‘phase 2 emergency response’, with 4 of our major pumps on standby. Fortunately, the pilots were able to shut down the engines and fuel supply after landing on the runway, and the plane was escorted to a parking area where passengers waited to disembark safely.”

Smith added: “Our Fire & Rescue resources will remain on support until the phase 2 emergency is declared complete.”

Facebook group, Latest Sightings Cape Town Int’l Airport, claimed the aircraft had a fuel leak and that the N2 highway, which passes the airport runway, had been temporarily shut down. This could not be confirmed.

Another member of the group reported that the same aircraft had been diverted back to London’s Heathrow Airport on 14 April. This was not confirmed by British Airways. *DM*

*This is a developing story and will be updated.*