The Federal Aviation Administration is looking into an incident involving a United Airlines flight that had a tire fall off during takeoff from San Francisco International Airport. This caused damage to several cars in a parking lot before the plane made a safe landing at Los Angeles International Airport.
According to the spokesperson for San Francisco airport, Doug Yakel, the tire was lost around 11:35 a.m. on Thursday as the flight was heading to Osaka, Japan. United Airlines also confirmed that the plane lost a tire after takeoff.
The tire debris landed in an employee parking lot at the airport, causing damage to several cars. Luckily, there were no reports of any injuries.
United flight 35, carrying 249 passengers and crew, had to be diverted to Los Angeles and landed around 1:20 p.m. The airline informed CNN that arrangements were being made for a new aircraft for the affected passengers.
A United Airlines flight loses a tire while taking off from San Francisco International Airport.
A United Airlines flight loses a tire while taking off from San Francisco International Airport.
An American Airlines pilot was heard asking air traffic control about a missing tire during the incident. Flights were redirected as a result, as captured by LiveATC.net.
The controller informed them that it would take a few minutes for their turn.
United confirmed that the aircraft was a Boeing 777-200. It is equipped with six tires on each of its two main landing gear struts and can safely land even with missing or damaged tires.
The San Francisco International Airport’s runway was briefly closed to clear debris but has since reopened, and there was no further impact to airport operations, Yakel said.
Editor's P/S:
The incident involving the United Airlines flight losing a tire during takeoff is a serious safety concern. It is fortunate that there were no injuries, but the damage to the cars in the parking lot highlights the potential dangers of such incidents. The FAA's investigation will hopefully determine the cause of the tire failure and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The safe landing of the flight after losing a tire is a testament to the skill of the pilots and the design of the aircraft. However, it is important to remember that such incidents can have serious consequences. It is crucial for airlines and aviation authorities to prioritize safety and take all necessary steps to ensure that aircraft are properly maintained and operated to minimize the risk of such incidents. the aircraft they are flying in, such as the ability to land safely with missing or damaged tires. By implementing robust safety measures and fostering a culture of vigilance, airlines can enhance passenger confidence and maintain the highest standards of air travel.