Air China Plane Lands in Siberia with Engine Trouble

Air China plane with engine trouble lands in Siberia. The Boeing 737-800 aircraft took off from London Heathrow and was headed to Beijing when it diverted to Novosibirsk in western Siberia. Passengers were evacuated and the plane was grounded for further investigation. The airline did not provide any details on the cause of the engine trouble.

An Air China Boeing 777 aircraft experienced an engine failure en route from London Heathrow to Beijing, leading to an emergency landing in Nizhnevartovsk, Russia, on July 2, 2025. The plane, carrying 311 passengers and crew, departed Heathrow at 10:43 PM local time and encountered trouble over Russian airspace, diverting to Nizhnevartovsk due to clear weather and a long runway suitable for the widebody jet [1].

The incident, which occurred around 8:17 AM local time, resulted in the aircraft rolling onto the tarmac in the oil city of Nizhnevartovsk, a rare occurrence for flights out of Britain. Airport staff scrambled to handle the sudden arrival, with one eyewitness stating that the airport services were on high alert for the unexpected guest [1].

The cause of the engine failure is yet to be determined, and the airline has not provided any details on the incident. The plane was grounded for further investigation, and passengers face uncertainty over their accommodation and next steps. The city of Nizhnevartovsk, located 1,435 miles east of Moscow, has limited facilities for such a large influx of travelers, and the use of British bank cards in Russia is restricted due to ongoing sanctions [1].

The Foreign Office continues to advise against all travel to Russia, warning that foreigners risk detention or prosecution for activities seen as "against Russian interests." The Ural Transport Prosecutor's Office has confirmed the emergency landing, and the Sun has contacted Air China and the Foreign Office for more information [1].

References:
[1] https://www.the-sun.com/news/15045614/heathrow-flight-engine-failure-russia-landing/