A United Airlines flight caught fire at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, causing the pilots to abort takeoff on May 27. The incident occurred when United Airlines Flight 2091, an Airbus A320 scheduled to fly from Chicago to Seattle, experienced an engine fire shortly before takeoff.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily suspended arrivals at the airport following the incident, with normal operations resuming around 2:45 p.m. local time. The aircraft was towed to the gate, where passengers safely deplaned. No injuries were reported in connection with the fire.
United Airlines confirmed the flight’s delay and the issue with the engine, which was immediately addressed by their local ground crew and emergency responders. The company stated that 148 passengers and five crew members were on board when the incident occurred.
The FAA has increased oversight of United Airlines to ensure compliance with safety regulations, identification of hazards and risk mitigation, and effective safety management following several recent safety events involving the airline. These include flight diversions due to mechanical problems and a series of other incidents over the past few months, such as a chunk of the outer aluminum skin falling off a Boeing 737-800, a United flight being forced to return to Houston after an engine caught fire, and a tire falling off a United Boeing 777 during takeoff in San Francisco.
An FAA spokesperson confirmed that the agency welcomes outside scrutiny and will “cooperate fully with the audit.” A United Airlines spokesperson stated that the company had nothing to share on the development as the audit is focused on the FAA’s oversight.