High Powered Film Lights Caused Airbus A321neo Window Failure

By Tom Boon

Published Nov 3, 2023

The lights melted part of the window fixtures, leading to the failure.

Mike Burdett | Flickr<\/a>"">

Photo: Mike Burdett | Flickr

Summary

High-powered lights used for filming caused thermal damage to the foam surrounding windows on an Airbus A321neo departing Stansted Airport.
The damage resulted in the loss of four windows on the aircraft, but did not impact the pressurization system during the flight.
Passengers noticed increased noise and cold temperatures onboard, and an engineer discovered the damage after takeoff, leading to the decision to return to Stansted.