On Monday, May 27th, a United Airlines flight in the United States had an engine catch fire before takeoff at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. Thick smoke billowed from one of the aircraft’s wings.
According to statements from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and United Airlines, Flight 2091 bound for Seattle was scheduled to depart around 2 p.m. on Monday. However, the engine caught fire while the plane was still on the taxiway. After the Airbus A320 aircraft was towed back to the gate, 148 passengers and 5 crew members were evacuated.
Videos shared on social media showed black smoke coming from one side of the plane’s wing. Passenger Ivan Paloalto told Storyful that he heard an explosion as the plane was about to take off.
“I felt the windows vibrate. I looked over, and the engine was on fire, emitting thick smoke.”
During one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, the FAA ordered a temporary halt to inbound flights to Chicago until normal operations resumed at 2:45 p.m. on Monday.
Some inbound flights had to circle in the air until they were cleared to land.
Carmen Hernandez, who was returning home from Nashville, shared her experience with ABC7. “We were in the air, and they (crew members) said, ‘Sorry for the delay in landing. You will be a bit late in landing because there is an emergency in Chicago,’” Hernandez said.
United Airlines stated that there were no reports of injuries and that first responders “promptly handled” the engine issue.
The airline mentioned that they would work to make alternative travel arrangements for the passengers.