United Airlines Flight Aborts Takeoff Due to Engine Fire

A United Airlines flight aborted its takeoff on Memorial Day after an engine caught fire, causing black smoke to pour into the air.

The jet was bound for Seattle. It aborted takeoff at O’Hare International Airport, reports Fox 32 Chicago, on one of the year’s busiest travel days.

The pilot of United Flight 2091, Airbus A320, terminated takeoff due to an emergency. The plane was due to fly to Washington State at around 2 p.m. on Monday, but the incident caused 148 passengers and five crew members to evacuate.

According to USA Today, United Airlines confirmed there was “an issue with the engine, which our local ground crew and emergency responders immediately addressed.”

The FAA stated, “The Airbus A320 was towed to the gate where passengers safely deplaned.” Subsequently, all flights coming into O’Hare International Airport were halted for almost one hour.

In March of this year, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby addressed passengers in a letter regarding a string of safety incidents plaguing the airline. He wrote, “Safety is our highest priority and is at the center of everything we do. Unfortunately, in the past few weeks, our airline has experienced a number of incidents that are reminders of the importance of safety. While they are all unrelated, I want you to know that these incidents have our attention and have sharpened our focus.”

His statement came as United was experiencing concerning issues such as a chunk of outer aluminum skin falling off the belly of a United Boeing 737 after it landed in Oregon. Also, a United jet suffered an engine fire during takeoff from Houston, and a tire fell off another United jet as it left San Francisco. Other problems included a hydraulic leak, a plane veering off a taxiway, and a plane getting stuck in the grass.

In March, federal regulators claimed they would increase their oversight of United Airlines, according to ABC13. An agency spokesperson told the news outlet that the FAA will focus on the “airline’s compliance with applicable regulations; ability to identify hazards, assess and mitigate risk; and effectively manage safety.”