As a United Airlines flight was leaving Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), a terrible moment was witnessed by the passengers on board as one of the plane’s wings was on fire. The video taken by a passenger clearly shows that this is a wing burning; thus, the performance brought panic and immediately called up for an emergency response.
The accident occurred just a few minutes after takeoff, and the crew had to return to Houston for an emergency landing. All passengers were evacuated without any injuries. The officials are looking into what caused the fire.
Passengers on board reported that the flight was in the initial ascent phase where several of them reported sparks and flames issued out from the right wing. Witnesses described hearing a loud noise, followed by smoke trailing the affected area.
One passenger recorded a terrifying video of the flames, which quickly spread on social media, showing the fire visibly burning along the wing.
We were just taking off, and suddenly I saw sparks coming from the wing,” said a passenger. “People started gasping, and then someone shouted, ‘The wing is on fire!'”
Detecting the problem, pilots promptly requested an emergency landing, and the aircraft turned back to Houston within minutes. Flight attendants prepared passengers for possible evacuation by telling them to stay calm and prepare for landing.
Once the plane touched down on the ground safely, emergency personnel swarmed the aircraft, evacuating passengers promptly. Firefighters doused the flames, and maintenance teams inspected the damage.
What Caused the Fire?
Though the cause is not known yet, it is believed that the problem of engine failure or fuel system could have sparked the fire. The possible causes include:
- Sparks from failed engines ignite the leaked fuel.
- Flare up from hydraulic fluid leak near hot components.
- Bird strikes or ingestion of foreign objects damage the engine.
The FAA and NTSB are reviewing flight data, maintenance logs, and witness reports to determine the cause of the fire.
Passengers who were on the flight commended the crew’s swift response and composure, which they say helped to follow safety procedures in the midst of the terrifying incident.
“It was just relief when we landed,” said another passenger. “The crew did a great job of keeping us informed and safe.”
United Airlines keeps the aircraft grounded to further inspect and be sure nothing like this happens on any other flights. The airline also assured travelers that it still remains committed to safety.
Investigations from authorities will be conducted in order to come up with reasons for such a fire, ensuring whether more inspections or maintenance updates are required on similar models.
Passengers will remember the lesson in airline safety procedures and the importance of a flight crew when it comes to emergencies for quite some time now.
The good news is that there were no reported injuries; however, this event should have emphasized aircraft safety standards and addressed all risks prior to takeoff.
