A United Airlines flight was forced to abort takeoff after one of its engines caught fire, causing a temporary halt to arrivals at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport during the busy Memorial Day travel period.
Dramatic scene unfolds on tarmac
The incident occurred on Monday afternoon and was captured in a dramatic video from the tarmac, showing smoke billowing from one of the wings. United Flight 2091, an Airbus A320, was preparing for departure at around 2 PM local time when the engine caught fire, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed.
The flight, destined for Seattle, had 148 passengers and five crew members on board. The engine burst into flames on the taxiway, prompting an immediate evacuation. Passengers were safely deplaned and the aircraft was towed back to a gate. “The fire department and medical personnel met the aircraft out of an abundance of caution,” United officials told CNN, adding that no injuries were reported.
FAA and United Airlines statements
The FAA temporarily halted arrivals at O’Hare following the incident, resuming regular operations around 2:45 PM local time. While the FAA noted that the plane’s engine caught fire, United Airlines described it only as “an issue with the engine.” The airline assured that the issue was “immediately addressed” by first responders.
Eyewitness accounts
A passenger onboard captured video of the incident, showing thick smoke emanating from the wing. The passenger, who heard an explosion as the plane was about to take off, described the frightening moment: “I felt the impact on my window. As I looked, the engine was on fire and smoke was coming out,” the passenger recounted to a publication.
United Airlines stated that it is working to arrange alternative travel plans for affected passengers. The swift response by the crew and emergency personnel ensured the safety of everyone on board, minimizing the disruption during peak travel time.
