Wilgens Sirise
United Airlines Flight Declares Emergency After Engine Failure, Returns Safely to Washington D.C.
A United Airlines flight en route to Germany was forced to return to Washington D.C. after declaring an in-flight emergency due to engine failure, according to air traffic control recordings and a statement released by the airline on Monday.
Flight 108 Declares “Mayday” Shortly After Takeoff
On July 25, United Airlines Flight 108 departed Washington Dulles International Airport bound for Munich, Germany. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot reported a critical issue, stating that the aircraft’s left engine had failed. In audio recordings published on the YouTube channel You Can See ATC, the pilot can be heard declaring:
“Mayday, mayday, mayday… left engine failure, declaring an emergency.”
The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner carrying 219 passengers and 11 crew members, initiated emergency protocols and began a return course to Dulles.
Smooth Return and Safe Landing
Despite the mechanical issue, the flight crew remained calm and coordinated with air traffic control to execute a safe return. The aircraft was instructed to dump fuel in-flight in order to reach a suitable landing weight, a common procedure in such emergencies.
“Speed at your discretion,” an air traffic controller told the pilot. “Nobody behind you, nobody in front, sir.”
The plane touched down safely at Dulles International Airport at 8:49 p.m. EDT, roughly two and a half hours after departure. United Airlines confirmed that all passengers deplaned normally and no injuries were reported.
Flight Canceled, Alternate Travel Arranged
United Airlines issued a statement noting:
“The jet 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 canceled, and we arranged alternate travel arrangements to take customers to their destination as soon as possible.”
FAA Launches Investigation
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also confirmed that it is aware of the incident and is currently investigating the “possible engine issues” experienced during the flight.
Flight 108 was originally scheduled to leave Dulles at 5:40 p.m. EST and arrive in Munich at 5:40 a.m. CEST the next morning. Instead, the flight took off at 6:11 p.m. and returned at 8:49 p.m.
No Disruption to Other Air Traffic
Thanks to swift coordination between the flight crew and ATC, surrounding air traffic was temporarily cleared to ensure a smooth and immediate landing for Flight 108. The recordings reflect a composed exchange between the tower and the cockpit, highlighting the professionalism of all parties involved.
Tags: United Airlines, Flight 108, Mayday Emergency, Engine Failure, FAA Investigation, Boeing 787, Dulles Airport, Aviation News, Air Traffic Control, Airline Safety
Meta Description:
United Airlines Flight 108 to Munich declared a mayday due to engine failure and safely returned to Washington Dulles. FAA is investigating the incident.
