Denver, Colorado – A United Airlines flight traveling from San Francisco to Paris made an unexpected landing in Denver on Thursday evening due to an engine issue, the airline announced. United Flight 990, a Boeing 777-200 aircraft, diverted to Denver International Airport after the crew reported a problem with one of its engines. The plane safely landed in Denver, where emergency services were on standby but thankfully not required.
The flight’s route, as displayed on Flightradar24, initially showed it heading north over the Canadian border before making a southward turn towards Denver. With 273 passengers and a dozen crew members on board, the aircraft’s passengers were able to disembark normally upon arrival in Denver. United Airlines stated that it is working with the passengers to provide them with alternative flight options for their journey to Paris on Friday.
This diversion comes in the wake of several recent incidents involving United Airlines flights, including a tire detachment during takeoff from San Francisco, an emergency Los Angeles landing due to hydraulic issues, and a panel falling off an aging Boeing 737. Reports have indicated that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering temporary actions against United Airlines, potentially imposing restrictions on the airline’s expansion of routes and plane acquisitions.
In a communication to its employees, United’s Vice President of Corporate Safety, Sasha Johnson, acknowledged the anticipated FAA oversight and potential temporary measures. Johnson mentioned that the FAA will be conducting reviews of the airline’s operational processes, manuals, and facilities, with specific certification activities expected to be paused for a period. This increased FAA presence in United’s operations is part of a proactive effort to ensure safety and compliance standards are met.