United Airlines Plane Runs Off Runway in Houston, Adding to Boeing Safety Issues
In a week filled with safety concerns for United Airlines, yet another incident involving a Boeing plane has occurred. On Friday, a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 carrying 160 passengers and six crew members ran off the runway at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas. The plane “left the pavement and entered the grass” while exiting the runway for the gate, according to airport officials.
Thankfully, all passengers were safe, and they were able to deplane using air stairs and were then bused to the terminal. United Airlines released a statement confirming the incident and assuring that the safety of their customers is their top priority.
This incident comes just a day after another safety issue involving a United Airlines plane. A tire fell off a Boeing 777 shortly after takeoff from San Francisco International Airport. The tire landed in a staff parking lot, damaging a car and breaking its rear window before coming to a stop. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, and the plane was able to land safely in Los Angeles.
The Federal Aviation Administration has announced that it will investigate this tire incident. United Airlines acted swiftly to address the situation by arranging for a new airplane to transport passengers to their intended destination in Osaka.
Last week, passengers on a United Airlines flight from Houston to Fort Myers witnessed orange flames bursting from one of the plane’s engines just 20 minutes after takeoff. The Boeing 737-900 made an emergency landing at George Bush Intercontinental Airport without any further complications. NBC News suggests that this incident was likely a compressor stall, which causes a disruption of airflow in the engine, resulting in backfiring. However, it does not mean that the engine itself was on fire.
These recent safety issues have put Boeing in the spotlight once again. Just last Thursday, the National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report on a February 6 incident involving a Boeing 737 Max 8. The pilots reported “stuck” rudder pedals during the landing rollout. Boeing has declined to comment on these incidents, directing inquiries to United Airlines.
While some experts, such as Alan Price, a former chief pilot for Delta Air Lines, believe that a loose tire is typically related to maintenance and not the manufacturer’s fault, the string of incidents has become a public relations headache for Boeing. In January, an Alaska Airlines flight had to make an emergency landing after the door plug on a nearly new Boeing 737 Max 9 blew out. An investigation revealed that four key bolts were missing, raising concerns about the safety of Boeing’s flagship aircraft.
These recent incidents have reignited safety concerns surrounding Boeing planes, particularly the Max 8 model, following the tragic crashes in 2018 and 2019 that claimed the lives of 346 people. As investigations continue into these safety issues, it is crucial for both Boeing and United Airlines to prioritize the safety and well-being of their passengers.
