A British Airways flight issued a "mayday" distress call on its approach to Heathrow Airport earlier this month, according to a statement from France's accident investigation authority. A British Airways spokesperson said the airline was assisting the AAIB with its investigation and was not legally able to comment further at this stage. The French Air Safety Investigation Authority, the BEA, said that as the plane approached Heathrow, there was a data system failure which triggered a stall warning. The crew then flew the aircraft in a different mode called "alternate law", which removes some automated flight protection systems. They issued the following statement: "The AAIB is investigating a serious incident involving a commercial aircraft which occurred on 6 July on approach to Heathrow airport."