United Flight 803 Returns Safely After Engine Failure at Dulles

A United Airlines Boeing 777‑200 suffered an engine failure during takeoff from Washington’s Dulles International Airport on Saturday, but the crew returned safely to the runway.

Engine Failure

The incident occurred during the critical takeoff roll, when one of the aircraft’s engines lost power. The pilot immediately aborted the departure and executed a return to the departure runway. The flight crew followed established emergency procedures to ensure a safe landing.

FAA Investigation

The Federal Aviation Administration announced that it will investigate the cause of the engine failure. The FAA’s statement noted that Flight 803 was en route to Tokyo when the malfunction occurred. The investigation will examine maintenance records and flight data.

Passenger Safety

United Airlines reported that there were 275 passengers on board Flight 803. The airline confirmed that no injuries were reported among the passengers. All passengers were safely on the aircraft during the return.

Crew Safety

The flight’s crew consisted of 15 members. According to the airline, none of the crew sustained injuries during the emergency. The crew’s quick response was credited with preventing a more serious incident.

Fire Incident

As the aircraft departed, a small fire ignited on the runway. The blaze was caused by brush that caught fire during the takeoff attempt. Airport fire crews responded promptly to extinguish the flames.

Airport Spokesperson

“Some brush around the runway was ignited as the plane departed,” said Emily McGee, a spokesperson for the airport. “The fire has been extinguished,” McGee added.

Fire Extinguished

Fire suppression units on the ground extinguished the incident quickly, preventing damage to airport infrastructure. No further fire activity was reported after the initial blaze.

Flight Continuation

A different aircraft was scheduled to continue the flight to Tokyo later that Saturday. United Airlines arranged for the replacement plane to depart after the emergency.

Flight to Tokyo

Flight 803 was bound for Tokyo, Japan. The airline’s schedule had the aircraft depart for the international destination before the engine failure occurred.

Aircraft Type

The aircraft involved was a Boeing 777‑200, a wide‑body jet commonly used for long‑haul routes. The model is known for its reliability and high passenger capacity.

Time of Return

The plane returned to Dulles International Airport around 1:20 p.m. local time. The landing was executed on the same runway from which the takeoff began.

Return Around 1:20 p.m.

At approximately 1:20 p.m., the Boeing 777‑200 touched down safely on the departure runway. The crew’s handling of the situation was praised by airport officials.

Flight Number 803

United Flight 803 was the designated flight number for the service from Dulles to Tokyo. The flight’s designation was used in all official communications.

FAA Will Investigate

The FAA’s investigation will determine the root cause of the engine failure. Findings will be released once the investigation is complete.

Summary

United Airlines Flight 803 experienced an engine failure during takeoff from Dulles International Airport on Saturday. The aircraft returned safely, with no injuries to 275 passengers and 15 crew members. A small fire ignited on the runway but was quickly extinguished. The FAA will investigate the incident, and a different aircraft will carry the flight to Tokyo later that day.

Key Takeaways

• United Flight 803 suffered an engine failure during takeoff but landed safely.
• No injuries were reported among 275 passengers and 15 crew.
• A small fire on the runway was extinguished, and the FAA will investigate the incident.