New Delhi : Just days after a Boeing aircraft crash in Ahmedabad, another alarming aviation incident has surfaced — this time from the United States. A United Airlines flight, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating as Flight UA108 from Washington Dulles to Munich, experienced a mid-air engine failure shortly after takeoff on July 25, prompting an emergency response.
According to reports, the aircraft had just climbed to around 5,000 feet when the pilots received indications of a malfunction in the left engine. Without delay, the crew declared a “Mayday” and initiated emergency procedures. Panic briefly gripped passengers as the aircraft circled northwest of Washington Dulles, burning off excess fuel to meet landing weight requirements.
Flight tracking data confirmed that the aircraft remained airborne for 2 hours and 38 minutes before executing a safe emergency landing back at Dulles International Airport. To manage the aircraft’s weight and ensure a controlled descent, the pilots maintained an altitude of 6,000 feet and coordinated closely with Air Traffic Control (ATC) for a controlled fuel dump operation.
Following the successful dumping of fuel, the crew requested permission for an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach on Runway 19 Center. The landing was completed without further incident, though the aircraft was unable to taxi on its own and had to be towed off the runway. The Dreamliner remained grounded at Washington Dulles until Monday.
Despite the mid-air emergency, no injuries were reported among passengers or crew, and the airline has since launched a detailed technical inspection. This incident adds to growing scrutiny of Boeing aircraft following recent safety concerns worldwide.
