Boeing 787 Declares ‘Mayday’ After Takeoff in US: United Airlines Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Washington
A United Airlines Boeing 787-8 declared a Mayday shortly after takeoff from Washington Dulles due to an engine failure. The aircraft circled for hours to dump fuel before safely landing. No injuries reported. Full incident report here.
Boeing 787 Declares ‘Mayday’ After Takeoff in US: United Airlines Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Washington
Flight Scare in US: Boeing 787 Declares Emergency Shortly After Takeoff
Washington, D.C.: A United Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner triggered a mid-air emergency shortly after takeoff from Washington Dulles International Airport, prompting the pilots to declare a "Mayday" call due to a critical engine failure. The incident occurred on July 25, 2025, during the aircraft's scheduled flight to Munich, Germany (Flight UA108).
🚨 Key Highlights:
United Airlines Flight UA108 suffered left engine failure after takeoff
Crew declared “Mayday” at around 5,000 feet
Aircraft circled for over 2.5 hours to dump fuel before landing
No injuries were reported; aircraft grounded for investigation
🛬 Emergency Response: Fuel Dumping & Safe Landing
According to data from FlightAware, the Dreamliner climbed to about 6,000 feet, where pilots engaged in a holding pattern northwest of Washington D.C. for 2 hours and 38 minutes. This maneuver allowed the aircraft to safely dump fuel to reduce landing weight, a necessary procedure for emergency landings.
The Air Traffic Control (ATC) team coordinated with the flight crew to maintain safe separation from other air traffic during the fuel dumping process. Once complete, the aircraft received clearance for an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to Runway 19 Centre at Dulles.
🔧 Landing & Technical Details
Upon touchdown, the left engine was found to be completely non-functional. As a result, the aircraft was unable to taxi on its own and required a tow off the runway. The aircraft remains grounded at Washington Dulles Airport as of Monday, pending a detailed investigation by United Airlines and aviation authorities.
🧑✈️ Passenger Safety and Ongoing Investigation
Thankfully, no injuries were reported among passengers or crew. The incident is under review, with aviation safety experts and United Airlines’ engineering team expected to examine the cause of the engine malfunction.
🛩️ Similar Incidents
Etihad Airways recently checked fuel switches in Boeing 787 fleet as a precautionary measure.
Past Boeing engine failures have prompted multiple global airlines to initiate safety audits.
