Washington D.C. — A United Airlines flight bound for Munich was forced to return to Washington Dulles International Airport shortly after takeoff due to engine failure, prompting the pilot to issue a mid-air “Mayday” alert.
Flight 108, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner carrying 219 passengers and 11 crew, experienced a malfunction in its left engine at approximately 5,000 feet. The emergency was declared via radio transmission, allowing air traffic control to prioritize its safe return.
Due to the aircraft’s full transatlantic fuel load, the crew executed a fuel-burn maneuver by circling the area for about 30 minutes before landing safely. No injuries were reported, and all occupants deplaned without incident.
Emergency response teams conducted an immediate inspection upon landing. United Airlines later confirmed the flight was cancelled and affected passengers were rebooked on alternate flights.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has opened an investigation into the engine failure. Experts stressed that modern aircraft like the 787 are certified to operate on a single engine, and the crew's response aligned with safety protocols.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority confirmed that airport operations remained unaffected throughout the incident.
