A British Airways Airbus A380-800 declared minimum fuel while approaching San Francisco after entering a holding pattern due to a runway blockage from an emergency landing. The aircraft, operating flight BA287 from London Heathrow, communicated its urgent fuel status to air traffic control (ATC) and requested priority for landing.
ATC acknowledged the declaration and adjusted plans for runway management. Once cleared, the aircraft executed a visual approach to runway 28L, landing safely at approximately 3:55 UTC with minimal fuel remaining. No injuries or damage were reported, and normal airport operations resumed shortly after.
This incident emphasizes the importance of effective communication between pilots and ATC, especially in high-traffic environments, and illustrates the procedural nature of minimum fuel declarations, which allow for prioritization without invoking emergency protocols.
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