A ‘mechanical issue’ forced a Japan-bound United Airlines flight to return to the gate at San Francisco International Airport on Monday.
Flight UA35, scheduled to depart for Osaka at 12:05 p.m., taxied on the runway for over an hour before returning to the gate.
The incident involved a Boeing 777-200ER.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, it’s the 10th incident for the airline in the past two weeks.
A United Airlines flight bound for Japan returns to the gate at San Francisco International Airport due to a mechanical issue with the plane. The incident marks at least the 10th of its kind involving the U.S. airline in the past two weeks.https://t.co/RB693MTRi4
— San Francisco Chronicle (@sfchronicle) March 18, 2024
The San Francisco Chronicle reports:
Belinda Pitco, a passenger onboard the flight, told the Chronicle that the pilot announced that “the right engine is not working,” without offering any additional information.
A spokesperson for United Airlines said in a statement, “We don’t have details to share right now.” They also provided a link to a website for passengers to monitor the flight’s status.
A message there read, “Our maintenance team needs more time to service your plane. Right now, we’re expecting a 4:30pm departure. If this changes, we’ll keep you updated. We apologize for this travel disruption and appreciate your continued patience.”
Flight UA35 would eventually takeoff approximately five hours late.
“Your flight departed late because we had to address a technical issue on your plane. Your safety is our priority and we’re sorry for the inconvenience,” United Airlines said in a statement, according to KTVU FOX 2.
BREAKING: A United Airlines flight bound for Japan made an unexpected return to San Francisco gate due to mechanical failure.
This marks the airline's 10th similar incident in just two weeks. pic.twitter.com/QlHYwFY0CH
— BAY AREA STATE OF MIND (@YayAreaNews) March 18, 2024
The majority of incidents related to United Airlines aircraft in the past two weeks have involved a San Francisco flight.
From NBC Bay Area:
This is the eighth maintenance issue involving an SFO United flight in the past two weeks.
It comes the same day that United’s CEO Scott Kirby sent an email trying to reassure customers.
“Safety is our highest priority and is at the center of everything we do. Unfortunately, in the past few weeks, our airline has experienced a number of incidents that are reminders of the importance of safety … United is working with employees on its safety procedures, while the FAA is investigating the mishaps,” the email read in part.
However, the airline incidents aren’t exclusive to United Airlines.
On Sunday, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 landed at Portland International Airport with a crack in its windshield.
