A United Airlines flight was forced to abort takeoff at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on Monday (May 27) after an engine fire erupted, spewing smoke from the wing as captured in a chilling video.
United Flight 2091 was all set to fly to Seattle at around 2 pm when its engine burst into flames on the taxiway forcing 148 passengers and five crew members to evacuate Airbus 320, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and United Airlines said in separate statements.
The video shot by a passenger from inside the plane showed thick smoke coming from one of the wings as the aircraft drove on the tarmac.
HAPPENING NOW —
United Airlines plane catches fire before takeoff at Chicago airport‼️The Seattle bound United Flight 2091 with 148 passengers and five crew members on board was halted around 2 p.m Monday, according to the FAA.
Ground crews and emergency responders… pic.twitter.com/UWslsLYvju
— SANTINO (@MichaelSCollura) May 28, 2024
Ivan Paloalto, the passenger who shot the video, told Storyful that he heard a blast as the plane was about to take off.
The FAA momentarily halted arrivals at the Chicago airport on one of the busiest travel weekends of the year until regular operations started again at 2:45 pm, the agency said.
United Airlines confirmed there were no injuries sustained during the event. First responders promptly addressed the engine malfunction, and passengers deplaned the aircraft in an orderly manner.
The airline in their statement said, “We are working to make alternative travel arrangements for customers.”
The Windy City fliers were not the only ones dealing with travel issues over the Memorial Day weekend.
Fliers at JFK International Airport faced temporary delays on Monday afternoon as powerful thunderstorms rolled through the New York area, prompting a ground stop at the busy airport.
(With inputs from agencies)