• Source:JND

A United Airlines Boeing 777 bound for Tokyo was forced to return to Washington Dulles International Airport shortly after takeoff on Saturday after one of its engines failed and caught fire. The aircraft, carrying 275 passengers and 15 crew members, landed safely and no injuries were reported, officials said.

United Flight 803, a Boeing 777-200ER scheduled to fly from Washington Dulles to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, encountered a technical issue moments after departure around 12:20 pm local time. The aircraft was still climbing when one of its engines sputtered and lost power, prompting the pilots to declare an emergency.

Pilots Declare Emergency 

Following standard emergency procedures, the flight crew immediately turned the aircraft back toward Dulles. The plane touched down safely at around 1:20 pm, where airport fire and rescue teams were already in position. All 275 passengers and 15 crew members were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported. Fire responders inspected the aircraft after landing as a precautionary measure. 

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said a piece of the engine cover separated during takeoff and caught fire, igniting a small brush fire on the ground near the runway. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority later confirmed that the fire was quickly extinguished.

While one runway was temporarily closed following the incident, airport officials said overall operations were not disrupted due to the availability of multiple runways at Dulles.

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FAA Launches Investigation

The Federal Aviation Administration has opened an investigation into the engine failure and the separation of the engine cover. United Airlines said the aircraft returned “to address a power loss issue with one of its engines” and stressed that passenger safety remains its top priority.

The airline added that the affected flight was rescheduled later on Saturday using a different aircraft. Boeing did not immediately comment on the incident. 

Videos showing flames and smoke near the aircraft shortly after takeoff circulated widely on social media, highlighting the dramatic moments following the engine failure. Aviation experts noted that emergency returns, while rare, are managed through established safety protocols.

United Airlines said it is cooperating fully with investigators and assisting passengers with rebooking and accommodation as needed. The incident has renewed public attention on aircraft safety, even as aviation authorities emphasise that such situations are handled with strict safety procedures designed to protect passengers and crew.

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