WASHINGTON, D.C. Dec 13, 2025 – A United Airlines flight en route to Tokyo was forced to return and make a safe emergency landing at Dulles International Airport on Saturday after experiencing a serious engine malfunction shortly after takeoff.
United Flight 803, a Boeing 777-200ER carrying 275 passengers and 15 crew members, departed Dulles but encountered issues almost immediately. According to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, an engine failed, causing a piece of the engine cover to separate. The debris caught fire upon hitting the ground, sparking a small brush fire along the runway.
The aircraft circled the area to dump fuel—a standard procedure to reduce weight for a safe landing—before touching down without further incident. No injuries were reported among passengers, crew, or ground personnel.
“I’ve been briefed on United Flight 803 from Dulles to Japan,” Secretary Duffy posted on X (formerly Twitter). “The plane landed safely, and there are no injuries at this time. @FAANews is investigating and will have updates. Thank you to our brave first responders for reacting so quickly 🇺🇸.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the incident. Local first responders quickly extinguished the brush fire, preventing any spread.
United Airlines has not yet released an official statement, but passengers were deplaned safely and provided assistance at the airport.
This event comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Boeing aircraft safety following previous incidents involving the manufacturer’s models. The Boeing 777 series, however, has a strong safety record overall.
Travelers at Dulles experienced minor delays as runway operations were temporarily affected, but the airport resumed normal activities shortly after.
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