Had a similar situation a few years back when returning from Antigua. The main flaps didn’t retract properly after take off which meant that a) there wouldn’t be enough fuel to cross the Atlantic due to the drag and b) the stall speed on landing would be too high to touch down safely & actually stop on most runways.
They managed to get permission for an emergency landing at Barbados (it has the longest runway in the Caribbean) but we spent a couple of hours in the air ‘lightening the fuel load’ which, having a seat alongside the wing, clearly meant open the dump valves & let it all go.
The landing itself was very hard and fast which became very obvious when we rattled past where planes normally taxi off the main runway & kept going despite the braking attempts of the crew. Just about slowed and turned before we ran out of runway with the front of the plane juddering across the tarmac in what can only be described as massive under steer. Being chased by fire engines, ambulances & all manner of emergency vehicles was all a bit “Thunderbirds” though 🙂
It was weird that half the plane was in a full panic & half quite calm, almost serene. Nobby Jr thought it was the best flight he’d ever had but the. Mrs was just about frozen with fear.
On the upside, we got to spend 36 hours in a fantastic 5 star resort, fully inclusive, with a few dollars to spend on clothes, toiletries etc.
Spookily, it was a Virgin flight too.
Edit: The pilot & crew where absolutely fantastic.