(The Hill) — Late last month, a United Airlines pilot issued a mayday alert after suspecting an engine problem shortly after departing from Washington Dulles International Airport.
“Engine failure, left engine, United 108 declaring an emergency. Mayday, mayday, mayday,” the pilot communicated to air traffic control, as captured in an audio recording shared by various media outlets.
The July 25 flight, en route to Munich, returned to Dulles to address the suspected mechanical issue, as confirmed by United Airlines in a statement to The Hill.
“The aircraft landed safely, and passengers disembarked normally at the gate,” a spokesperson noted. “We then canceled the flight and made alternative travel arrangements for the customers to reach their destination as soon as possible.”
The Boeing 787 aircraft was carrying 219 passengers and 11 crew members.
Flight tracking data show the plane was in the air for 2 hours and 38 minutes.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority informed The Hill that, upon landing, the plane was “examined by Airports Authority Fire and Rescue personnel and then towed to a gate.”
