United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 Rejects Takeoff Due To Flames Under Wing

United Airlines UA329 was destined for Boston when the crew rejected takeoff on departure from Denver due to reports of fire from the left-hand engine.

Using Denver’s runway 16L, the aircraft could come to a complete stop, where it was confirmed the tires were flat and disabled.

Photo: On The Run Photo / Shutterstock

Photos shared by the airline and on various social media shows damage on the right-hand side of the Boeing 737 MAX 9, with all four tires burst and the wheel rims severely abraided.

UA329 on fire

The United Airlines flight UA329 was expected to depart Denver International Airport (DEN) at 13:42 on September 30th, destined for Boston Logan (BOS) in Massachusetts for a scheduled arrival time of 19:38. After the plane came to a complete stop, the runway was subsequently closed, and emergency services rushed to the aircraft, where air traffic control advised the flight was safe to evacuate if required. With reports stating the tower said, “The Runway is yours.”

Before emergency services had even reached the aircraft, the tower further observed the flames had subsided.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released this preliminary statement: “Aircraft on departure roll, aborted takeoff due to smoke and fire under right-wing and arff extinguished fire, Denver, CO.”

Replacement service

A replaced aircraft was able to serve the flight some five hours later, eventually departing DEN at 18:37 and touching down in Beantown (Boston) in the early hours of October 1st, landing at 00:12. This flight was operated by a relatively new Boeing 737 MAX 9, holding registration N37541 and serial number 64469, having been delivered to United in just November last year.

Still in Denver?

The aircraft involved in the firey incident, another 737 MAX 9, holds the registration N37560, serial number 67184, and is less than six months old. The Star Alliance carrier accepted the aircraft for commercial service on May 30th this year.

Photo: Framalicious / Shutterstock

On September 30th, Flightradar24 data shows the aircraft operated two services before catching fire. N37560 took flight first at 06:45, bound for Sin City, departing for Las Vegas Harry Reid (LAS) as UA1728. It appears to have operated to schedule and without incident, touching down in Nevada at 07:13 before returning to Denver by noon.

The aircraft has reported no further flights since and presumably remains on the apron in Denver while inspected for further damage and repairs are completed.

Sources: Flightradar24.com, AVHerald