United Airlines Flight Diverted to Chicago O’Hare After Engine Issue
A United Airlines flight en route to Denver was diverted to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) on Sunday evening after experiencing an issue with one of its engines. The Boeing 737, operating as United Flight 2265, had departed from St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) when the problem arose, prompting an immediate diversion and subsequent evacuation of passengers and crew.
The incident occurred shortly after takeoff from St. Louis. Passengers reported hearing a loud noise, described by some as a "bang," followed by vibrations and a burning smell. In response to the developing situation, the flight crew made the decision to divert the aircraft to the nearest suitable airport, which was Chicago O’Hare.
Upon arrival at O’Hare, the Boeing 737 was met by emergency services as a precautionary measure. The aircraft was safely brought to a stop on the taxiway, and passengers were deplaned using the aircraft’s stairs. United Airlines confirmed that all 174 passengers and six crew members on board were safely evacuated. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries during the incident.
A replacement aircraft was quickly dispatched by United Airlines to O’Hare to accommodate the stranded passengers. They were able to continue their journey to Denver later that evening. The airline has stated that it is conducting a thorough inspection of the affected aircraft to determine the cause of the engine issue.
While the specific technical cause is still under investigation, preliminary reports suggest a potential problem with one of the aircraft’s engines. Such diversions, while alarming for passengers, are a standard safety procedure when any abnormality is detected in flight. Aviation authorities will likely review the incident to ensure all protocols were followed and to identify any systemic issues. This event highlights the critical role of flight crews in making swift decisions to prioritize passenger safety.
Key Points
- Airline: United Airlines
- Flight Number: 2265
- Aircraft Type: Boeing 737
- Departure Airport: St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)
- Intended Destination: Denver
- Diversion Airport: Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Reason for Diversion: Engine issue (reported loud noise, vibrations, burning smell)
- Number of Passengers: 174
- Number of Crew: 6
- Outcome: Safe evacuation of all passengers and crew via stairs; no reported injuries.
- Resolution: Replacement aircraft provided to continue the journey to Denver.
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