A Florida-bound flight experienced a harrowing incident when it was forced to turn around abruptly after departing from London due to missing and damaged windowpanes, according to a report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB). The incident occurred on a chartered Airbus A321 flight scheduled to travel from Stansted Airport to Orlando International Airport on October 4th. The plane was carrying a total of nine passengers and 11 crew members.

The damage to the cabin windows was only discovered after the aircraft had taken off and climbed to an altitude of approximately 14,500 feet. Passengers on board noticed that the cabin seemed "noisier and colder" than usual after the seatbelt signs had been switched off. Concerns arose when a member of the crew observed a window seal on the left side of the plane "flapping in the airflow" and noticed that the windowpane appeared to have slipped down. The noise from the damaged window was described as "loud enough to damage your hearing".

Reacting quickly to the situation, the pilot reduced the flight speed before making the decision to turn the aircraft around just 36 minutes after takeoff. The plane was able to land safely back at Stansted Airport. An inspection on the ground revealed that two windowpanes were missing, a third was dislodged, and a fourth was protruding from the left side of the aircraft.

The AAIB report later revealed that the damage to the windowpanes was caused by "thermal damage" resulting from the exposure to high-power floodlights used during a filming event the day before the flight. The report stated that the floodlights, likely positioned closer than the recommended 10 meters, were used to simulate a sunrise from inside the aircraft. The windows sustained thermal damage and distortion due to elevated temperatures during the four to five-and-a-half-hour filming activity.

The investigation is still ongoing, with the aircraft manufacturer and operator cooperating to understand the properties of the lights used and how such risks can be managed in the future. The AAIB urges aircraft owners and operators to consider the hazard posed by similar activities to minimize the risk of aircraft damage.

This incident highlights the importance of thorough inspections and maintenance procedures before every flight, as well as the need for strict adherence to safety guidelines and protocols. The safety of passengers and crew should always be of paramount concern in the aviation industry, and incidents like these serve as a reminder of the potential consequences when safety measures are compromised.