Panic Over the Atlantic? United Flight Declares Emergency, Forced Back to D.C.

A United Airlines flight bound for Munich was forced to make an emergency return to Washington Dulles International Airport on July 25 after suffering engine failure shortly after takeoff. The pilot of Flight 108, a Boeing 787 carrying 219 passengers and 11 crew members, issued a “mayday” call, reporting the failure of the left engine.

Air traffic control cleared the airspace for the plane’s return while the jet dumped fuel to ensure a safe landing weight. The aircraft landed safely at Dulles at 8:49 p.m. EDT, with all passengers deplaning normally. United canceled the flight and arranged alternate travel for affected travelers. The FAA has launched an investigation into the engine issue.

Flight 108 had originally been scheduled to fly overnight across the Atlantic, departing at 5:40 p.m. and arriving in Munich the following morning. Instead, it spent just over two hours in the air before returning to its departure airport.