Yesterday, a United Airlines flight bound for San Francisco from Beijing was forced to abort its takeoff after the pilots detected an issue with one of the engines. As reported by NBC Bay Area, United Flight 889, a Boeing 777-200, carrying 229 passengers, safely stopped on the runway at Beijing Capital International Airport, with all passengers deplaning unharmed. The airline promptly arranged accommodations and rescheduled the passengers to a new flight set for the following Tuesday.
A more detailed account of the incident surfaced on Chinese social media, where passengers shared their firsthand experiences. A netizen, citing a loud bang and sighting flames, detailed the abrupt halt of the aircraft during its initial ascent. "The pilot immediately brought the plane to a sudden stop on the runway," a user named Matt told Global Times. After an hour, they were ushered off the aircraft, with United coordinating hotel stays and meals.
Another passenger, surnamed Tan, described the event vividly, mentioning repeated turbulence and a sudden deceleration, followed by the aircraft stopping completely on the runway. Tan told the Global Times that the crew's initial message was that the issue was routine. Later, however, passengers were evacuated via airstairs and shuttle buses due to the severity of the mechanical problems, despite earlier assurances they might return to the terminal.
The mechanical malfunction's cause hasn't been officially reported, but it prompted United to organize a replacement flight, UA3045, to leave the following day at 5:30 PM. The aircraft involved is 27.6 years old, according to VariFlight data referenced by the Global Times, and seats 276 passengers, representing a significant piece of United's trans-Pacific fleet.
