Boeing 787 Dreamliner narrowly avoided crash after engine failure
The United Airlines plane took off from Washington Dulles Airport bound for Munich on Friday but was forced to turn around just minutes into the flight.
A 'Mayday' was declared by the crew at around 5,000 feet after a malfunction was reported in the aircraft's left engine.
The crew on the plane were directed by air traffic control to a holding pattern northwest of Washington so that they could dump fuel.
They asked the pilots: 'How long do you expect to hold, fuel, or just get set up there?'
The pilot responded: 'We'll have to climb six [thousand feet] and adjust fuel.'
The Dreamliner remained at around 6,000 feet for several minutes while it dumped the fuel.
The pilot told air traffic control: 'We're dumping fuel at six thousand. We'll let you know when complete.'
Luckily, the crew managed to land the plane safely back at Dulles Airport, and no injuries were reported, and all passengers disembarked safely.
Because of engine failure, the plane had to be towed off the runway by the ground crew.
Flight data shows that the aircraft's left engine failed while it was climbing after it departed.
The aircraft is still grounded at the airport while engineers inspect the engine and the damage.
Aviation authorities, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), are expected to investigate the incident.
A United Airlines spokesperson told Metro: 'United flight 108 to Munich returned to Washington Dulles shortly after takeoff to address a mechanical issue.
'The plane landed safely, and all passengers deplaned normally at the gate.
'The flight was subsequently cancelled and we arranged alternate travel arrangements to take customers to their destination as soon as possible.'
Boeing has been approached for comment.
The safety model of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is currently under scrutiny because of the Air India crash last month.
That incident involved both engines failing shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad airport. More Trending
The tragic crash killed more than 260 people and the circumstances around it are still under investigation.
Other problems with Boeing 787s have been reported this year, including an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787 en route from Addis Ababa to Mumbai.
It experienced a mid-air depressurisation event, prompting an emergency descent.
Oxygen masks were deployed, and seven passengers needed medical attention when they landed in Mumbai.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
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Metro
20 hours ago
- Metro
Boeing 787 Dreamliner narrowly avoided crash after engine failure
A Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash nearly crashed just moments after taking off because of an engine failure. The United Airlines plane took off from Washington Dulles Airport bound for Munich on Friday but was forced to turn around just minutes into the flight. A 'Mayday' was declared by the crew at around 5,000 feet after a malfunction was reported in the aircraft's left engine. The crew on the plane were directed by air traffic control to a holding pattern northwest of Washington so that they could dump fuel. They asked the pilots: 'How long do you expect to hold, fuel, or just get set up there?' The pilot responded: 'We'll have to climb six [thousand feet] and adjust fuel.' The Dreamliner remained at around 6,000 feet for several minutes while it dumped the fuel. The pilot told air traffic control: 'We're dumping fuel at six thousand. We'll let you know when complete.' Luckily, the crew managed to land the plane safely back at Dulles Airport, and no injuries were reported, and all passengers disembarked safely. Because of engine failure, the plane had to be towed off the runway by the ground crew. Flight data shows that the aircraft's left engine failed while it was climbing after it departed. The aircraft is still grounded at the airport while engineers inspect the engine and the damage. Aviation authorities, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), are expected to investigate the incident. A United Airlines spokesperson told Metro: 'United flight 108 to Munich returned to Washington Dulles shortly after takeoff to address a mechanical issue. 'The plane landed safely, and all passengers deplaned normally at the gate. 'The flight was subsequently cancelled and we arranged alternate travel arrangements to take customers to their destination as soon as possible.' Boeing has been approached for comment. The safety model of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is currently under scrutiny because of the Air India crash last month. That incident involved both engines failing shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad airport. More Trending The tragic crash killed more than 260 people and the circumstances around it are still under investigation. Other problems with Boeing 787s have been reported this year, including an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787 en route from Addis Ababa to Mumbai. It experienced a mid-air depressurisation event, prompting an emergency descent. Oxygen masks were deployed, and seven passengers needed medical attention when they landed in Mumbai. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Wizz Air launches 5 new Spanish routes from the UK – but not everyone is happy MORE: One of the world's highest volcanos erupts after 8.8-magnitude quake MORE: New York City skyscraper shooting victims identified: Everything we know
Daily Mail
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United plane forced to land minutes after takeoff over engine failure
A transatlantic United Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was forced to return to the airport just moments after taking off after suffering a mid-air engine failure . Flight UA108, carrying 219 passengers and 11 crew members, departed Washington Dulles Airport at 5:40 p.m. on Friday, July 25, bound for Munich in Germany . But as the jet climbed through 5,000 feet, the left engine failed, prompting the pilots to declare a 'MAYDAY' and alert air traffic controllers. What followed was nearly three hours of tense aerial maneuvering. The crew entered a holding pattern northwest of Dulles, circling at 6,000 feet while dumping fuel to reduce the aircraft's landing weight. Throughout the emergency, the pilots worked closely with air traffic control to maintain safe separation from other aircraft and prepare for the return. Once the fuel dump was complete, the plane was cleared to land using an Instrument Landing System approach to Runway 19 Center. In a statement to the Independent , United Airlines confirmed the emergency, saying the aircraft returned to Dulles 'to address a mechanical issue.' A spokesperson added: 'The flight was subsequently cancelled, and we arranged alternate travel arrangements to take customers to their destination as soon as possible.' The airline declined to provide further details about the engine malfunction or confirm whether an investigation is underway. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority also confirmed the emergency landing, noting that the aircraft was met by fire and rescue crews and towed to a gate for inspection.
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United Boeing 787 Dreamliner forced to land minutes after taking due to ENGINE FAILURE
A transatlantic United Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was forced to return to the airport just moments after taking off after suffering a mid-air engine failure. Flight UA108, carrying 219 passengers and 11 crew members, departed Washington Dulles Airport at 5:40 p.m. on Friday, July 25, bound for Munich in Germany. But as the jet climbed through 5,000 feet, the left engine failed, prompting the pilots to declare a 'MAYDAY' and alert air traffic controllers. What followed was nearly three hours of tense aerial maneuvering. The crew entered a holding pattern northwest of Dulles, circling at 6,000 feet while dumping fuel to reduce the aircraft's landing weight. Throughout the emergency, the pilots worked closely with air traffic control to maintain safe separation from other aircraft and prepare for the return. Once the fuel dump was complete, the plane was cleared to land using an Instrument Landing System approach to Runway 19 Center. The touchdown was smooth - but with one engine disabled, the Dreamliner was unable to taxi and had to be towed from the runway. All passengers and crew deplaned safely at the gate without injury. In a statement to the Independent, United Airlines confirmed the emergency, saying the aircraft returned to Dulles 'to address a mechanical issue.' A spokesperson added: 'The flight was subsequently cancelled, and we arranged alternate travel arrangements to take customers to their destination as soon as possible.' The airline declined to provide further details about the engine malfunction or confirm whether an investigation is underway. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority also confirmed the emergency landing, noting that the aircraft was met by fire and rescue crews and towed to a gate for inspection. 'There was no disruption to other flights,' a spokesperson said. Although no injuries were reported, the aircraft remains grounded at Dulles as technicians continue to assess the damage.
