A United Airlines flight was forced into an emergency landing after a terrifying mid-air incident, raising fresh concerns over aviation safety. The Boeing 757-200, operating as Flight 1115 from Denver to Frankfurt, experienced a catastrophic engine failure just minutes after departure.
Shocking footage captured by passengers shows the moment the aircraft's right engine cowling—a protective covering—violently ripped off, flapping in the wind before tearing away completely and striking the wing flap. The plane, carrying 165 passengers and 10 crew members, was still climbing over Colorado when the failure occurred.
Pilots issued a mayday call and swiftly executed a controlled return to Denver International Airport. The aircraft landed safely approximately 25 minutes after its initial departure, averting a potential disaster. No injuries were reported amongst those on board.
Immediate Aftermath and Investigation
United Airlines confirmed the aircraft experienced a "maintenance issue" and was taken out of service for a thorough inspection by their technical team. The incident has triggered a major investigation by both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), who will work to determine the root cause of the mechanical failure.
This event is the latest in a string of safety-related incidents for aircraft manufacturer Boeing, putting the company's manufacturing and quality control processes under further intense scrutiny. Aviation authorities are likely to review maintenance procedures for this specific engine model across other airlines.
A Timeline of the Event
- 13:49 Local Time: United Flight 1115 departs Denver International Airport (DEN) bound for Frankfurt (FRA).
- Minutes after takeoff: Passengers hear a loud bang and the right engine cowling detaches.
- Shortly after: Pilots declare an emergency and request an immediate return to DEN.
- 14:14 Local Time: The Boeing 757 makes a safe emergency landing back at its origin airport.
Passengers were provided with alternative flights to reach their final destination. The investigation continues as officials work to ensure such a frightening failure does not happen again.
