United Airlines flight suffers engine issues after take-off sparking a fireplace at Dulles Airport
Smoke engulfed Dulles International Airport on Saturday when a United Airlines flight suffered engine problems after take-off and was forced to circle back and return to the Washington runway.
Debris reportedly fell from United Flight 803 after takeoff, sparking a brush fire and prompting emergency authorities.
The fire department was dispatched to Dulles International Airport in Virginia around 1 pm EST, the Sterling Volunteer Fire Department announced.
The reported mechanical issue caused debris to ignite a grass fire alongside the runway, according to the Loudoun Career Fire Fighters Association.
Fairfax County Professional Firefighters and paramedics responded to the mechanical issue and are still working to contain the fire.
Public flight data showed that the United flight was scheduled to depart at 12:19 pm and was delayed for an hour at Dulles.
Authorities confirmed that the plane landed safely. No injuries have been reported.
A reporter with local Washington, DC Fox affiliate, Fox 5, shared that United Flight 803 was seen circling to drop fuel after a reported engine issue.
A United Airlines flight was reportedly delayed after a mechanical issue sparked a brush fire
Images of smoke clouding the runway went viral on social media as emergency vehicles responded
Flight data showed that the United plane was scheduled to depart at 12:19 pm and was delayed for an hour at Dulles
Travelers waiting to take off on the runway shared images of the brush fire online, with one writing: ‘On a plane about to take off at Dulles Airport in Washington. Runway closed due to an “incident”.
‘Lots of smoke and flashing lights from emergency vehicles. Praying it’s not a crash.’
‘Flying out of Dulles and our runway closed due to an emergency. Lots of smoke,’ another wrote on X.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Dulles Airport, United Airlines, and local authorities for comment.
This is a breaking news story…
