RAF Chinook helicopter declares emergency close to London after issuing 7700 squawk code
A RAF Chinook helicopter declared a general emergency near London after squawking 7700
The RAF aircraft declared an emergency near London(Image: FlightRadar24)
An RAF emergency was declared near London after a helicopter squawked 7700. The aircraft, a Boeing -Vertol CH-47 Chinook (SHF482) declared the emergency at 10.15pm on Wednesday, October 7.
It issued a general emergency alert at approximately 2,000 feet close to London.
The code 7700 is the universal transponder code, referred to as a “squawk code”, which indicates the aircraft is issuing a general emergency and is recognised globally.
The flight declared an emergency near London (Image: FlightRadar )
Squawking 7700 also alerts all nearby air traffic controllers in the vicinity to the flight’s situation.
The codes are utilised internationally as a method to manage aircraft everywhere.
Precise details of the emergency remain unclear.
The aircraft, a Boeing CH-47 Chinook, is a twin-engine, tandem-rotor heavy-lift helicopter developed by Vertol and manufactured by Boeing.
Armed forces around the globe use the aircraft, including the UK.
It can transport up to 24,000 pounds of internal cargo or sling-load nearly 26,000 pounds externally.
The RAF has been focused on in recent weeks, following a ‘ terror ‘ incident at the Fairford base in Gloucestershire on September 27.
Counter terror police launched an investigation after vans were discovered near the base.
Five British nationals, all in their mid-20s, who were arrested near the base have since been released on bail. A sixth man, a dual UK-Iranian national aged 25, was arrested last week.
He has also been released on bail. All US military aircraft have been ‘urgently’ evacuated from the base following an incident believed to be ‘linked to Iran ‘.
In the wake of the incident, Downing Street has maintained that RAF Fairford remains secure, despite the US pulling its fighter jets from the base over safety worries.
The Star has reached out to the RAF for additional information regarding the reasons behind the declared emergency.
