The skies have been anything but friendly for United Airlines this past week, as the carrier experienced not one, not two, but three separate incidents involving Boeing aircraft, culminating in a United Airlines jet veering off the runway into a grassy area in Houston. On board were 160 passengers and six crew members, all of whom thankfully disembarked safely. This recent event marks a concerning trend for both United Airlines and Boeing, stirring unease amongst passengers and stakeholders alike.
The sequence of unsettling events began with a United Boeing 777-200, en route to Osaka, Japan, from San Francisco, losing a tire. The tire not only fell but also caused damage to a car in an airport parking lot before the aircraft safely landed in Los Angeles. Swiftly following this incident, a Boeing 737, older than the Max variant and on its way from Houston to Fort Myers, Florida, had to make an emergency landing when one of its engines began emitting flames shortly after takeoff. The cause? An engine ingested plastic bubble wrap left on the airfield.
The crescendo of this series of mishaps was Friday’s incident involving a Boeing 737 Max 8. The aircraft, having been in service for less than a year, skidded off the runway at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Luckily, no injuries were reported as passengers were assisted off the plane and bused to the terminal.
United Airlines, in response, has pledged to work closely with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Boeing to untangle the mystery behind these incidents. While these occurrences are said to be unrelated, they have inevitably led to a 2.2% plummet in Boeing shares, contributing to the Dow Jones Industrial Average’s significant year-to-date decline. United Airlines also saw a 1.9% drop in their shares.
Adding to Boeing’s woes are at least two other incidents reported this week, involving a Boeing 757-300 and a 737 aircraft, raising questions about the broader implications for aviation safety. The FAA has announced investigations into all incidents, a move that underscores the gravity of the situation.
This week’s incidents cast a shadow over Boeing’s efforts to restore its reputation, especially concerning the 737 Max model, which only recently re-entered service after a global grounding stemming from two fatal accidents in 2018 and 2019. United Airlines, under CEO Scott Kirby’s leadership, has expressed concerns about Boeing’s manufacturing quality, even considering switching to other variants of the Max or potentially to aircraft from Boeing’s rival, Airbus.
The FAA’s recent directive to inspect wiring issues on the 737 Max, citing a potential “loss of control of the airplane,” only adds to the scrutiny Boeing faces. As United Airlines and Boeing navigate these turbulent times, the aviation community and passengers alike await answers, hoping for a swift resolution to ensure the safety and reliability of future flights.
Related posts:
United Airlines jet rolls off runway with 166 aboard; 3rd Boeing mishap in a week
United plane veers off runway in third Boeing mishap of week
United Airlines’ plane veers off runway in third Boeing mishap of the week
