An Airbus A320
operated by 
United Airlines
had to return to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
on Friday after concerns of volcanic ash in the air. The aircraft was headed to Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX)
.
After flying for nearly an hour, the flight crew decided to turn back around. Popocatépetl is an active volcano located near Mexico City and has caused flight disruptions in the area before.
Flight path
According to Houston local CBS affiliate KHOU 11, the flight involved was UA1088. Data from Flightradar24 shows the aircraft, registered as N432UA, pushed back from gate C12 three minutes early at 11:52. It spent the following 15 minutes taxiing to runway 15L, where it departed at 12:07.
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The aircraft headed southeast, bypassing downtown Houston and nearby Hobby Airport (HOU) before turning southwest. 15 minutes into its journey, the plane was passing through 27,000 feet and had passed over the Texas coast. It continued climbing as it headed over the Gulf of Mexico, and reached its cruising altitude of 36,000 about 10 minutes later.
Photo: Flightradar24
By around 12:30, the plane was maintaining its altitude and had reached just past the Texas-Mexico border. However, it suddenly changed course, turning back north toward Texas. As a result, the aircraft also ascended to 37,000 feet. It headed toward Corpus Christi before turning east toward Houston.
Just 30 minutes after turning back around, the A320 began its descent. It continued in its direction and subsequently reached 3,000 feet at around 13:54. The aircraft landed safely on runway 8R at approximately 13:58. It taxied to gate E21 and arrived at 14:05.
Trying again
KHOU 11 reported that United confirmed the flight returned to Houston due to volcanic ash. It is unclear whether N432UA had come into contact with the ash. However, diverting was likely a precaution as it would depart again just two hours later. Additionally, other flights around Mexico City did not appear to be affected on Friday, according to flight data.
Photo: Lukas Souza | Simple Flying
At 16:04, N432UA pushed back from gate E21 and taxied again to runway 15L. It took off at 16:33. After about two hours, the aircraft landed safely in Mexico City at 18:22, and subsequently arrived at gate 35 at 18:31.
Volcanic ash can cause engine failure
Popocatépetl is about 40 miles southeast of Mexico City, according to NASA Earth Observatory. The stratovolcano has been erupting since 2005, but its most recent activity was reportedly at the end of last month. The Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History’s Global Volcanism Program reported that ash plumes were visible in webcams and satellite images between October 22nd and 25th.
Photo: Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History’s Global Volcanism Program
According to the Associated Press, volcanic ash is angular, sharp, and otherwise considered an industrial abrasive. If aircraft engines ingest the powdered rock sediment, it can result in engine failure, posing a dangerous safety risk. Depending on the severity, volcanic eruptions can emit ash as high as 30,000 feet in the atmosphere, impacting aircraft cruising altitudes.
Popocatépetl’s activity previously disrupted more than 20 flights in February of this year.
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