United Airlines experiences fifth flight incident within a week as jet diverts back for 'maintenance issue'

United Airlines had to turn back a flight from Sydney to San Francisco after just two hours of flying, marking the fifth incident for the airline in a week. The Boeing 777-300 plane, with 183 passengers and crew on board, had to return due to a maintenance problem, as stated by United Airlines.

The airline added that the plane landed safely, and passengers got off the plane at the gate as usual. They also mentioned that accommodation was provided for the passengers overnight and they were rebooked on a flight to San Francisco.

At least 50 people were injured on the LATAM Airlines flight 800 which landed in Auckland on New Zealand, March 11, 2024.

At least 50 people were injured on the LATAM Airlines flight 800 which landed in Auckland on New Zealand, March 11, 2024.

Dean Purcell/AP

Related article

Passenger on Boeing flight that suddenly dropped says pilot told him he lost control after instrument failure

The recent incident on United flight 830 is part of a series of incidents that have occurred with the US airline in the past few days. Just last week, an engine on one flight caught fire after ingesting bubblewrap, and another flight experienced a tire loss shortly after takeoff.

United Airlines reported two incidents on Friday. The first involved an aircraft skidding off a runway into a grassy area. The second incident was a flight from San Francisco to Mexico City being diverted to Los Angeles due to an issue with the plane’s hydraulic system. Meanwhile, Boeing, the US aircraft manufacturer, is facing scrutiny for a series of quality and safety issues.

CNN’s Dhruv Tikekar and Irene Nasser, Rebekah Riess and Gregory Wallace contributed reporting.

Editor's P/S:

The recent spate of incidents involving United Airlines flights is concerning, raising questions about the airline's safety standards and maintenance practices. The return of a flight from Sydney to San Francisco after only two hours due to a maintenance issue is particularly troubling, as it suggests a potential systemic problem. The fact that this incident follows several others within a short period, including an engine fire and a tire loss, is even more alarming.

It is essential that United Airlines and the relevant authorities thoroughly investigate these incidents to determine their root causes and take appropriate action to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Passengers deserve to have confidence in the safety of their flights, and airlines must prioritize ensuring that their aircraft are properly maintained and operated. The scrutiny facing Boeing, the manufacturer of the 777-300 plane involved in the Sydney incident, should also be taken seriously, and the company should cooperate fully with any investigations into its quality and safety protocols.