A United Airlines flight bound for Tokyo had to turn back shortly after takeoff from Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia due to an engine failure, as reported by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon involving a Boeing 777-200 aircraft, which experienced a power loss in one of its engines shortly after departing.
Fortunately, there were no injuries reported among the 275 passengers and 15 crew members aboard the flight. Witnesses quickly shared images and videos on social media showing smoke near the runway at Dulles, located about 25 miles (40 km) from Washington, D.C.
The FAA has indicated that it will initiate an investigation into the incident involving United Flight 803. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revealed that a portion of the engine’s cover detached and caught fire, which resulted in a brush fire on airport grounds that was swiftly managed by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. The fire was reportedly extinguished without any further issues.
United Airlines announced that the flight would be rescheduled the same day with a different aircraft, underscoring the airline’s commitment to passenger safety. This incident not only reflects the effectiveness of emergency response measures at Dulles but also serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining safety protocols in air travel.