Newly released surveillance footage and cockpit audio recordings have revealed the dramatic moment a United Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX skidded off a rain-soaked runway in Texas, with the captain's panic audible in the cockpit.
The Houston Landing Incident
The incident occurred on March 8, 2024, at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. The United flight, which had departed from Memphis with approximately 160 passengers on board, landed safely but then veered off the wet tarmac, coming to rest on grass beside the runway. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a trove of documents this week, providing new details. A performance study indicated the aircraft failed to decelerate sufficiently before attempting to exit the runway. Investigators found the crew inadvertently eased off key braking systems; the speed brakes retracted upon touchdown, disengaging the automatic brakes, and reverse thrust was later reduced.
Captain's Cockpit Apology and Social Media Fears
The transcript of audio between Captain Alireza Johartchi, 61, and First Officer Michael Dickson, 39, paints a vivid picture of the aftermath. As the plane failed to slow, Johartchi could be heard saying, "I'm gonna roll it to the end." After the skid, he repeatedly apologised to his colleague, stating, "Oh my god, I can't believe that happened," and "I thought it was gonna stop. Dude, I am so frickin' sorry."
The audio also revealed Johartchi's immediate concern about the incident spreading on social media. "Ah we're gonna be all over the social media... frickin’ people man, taking videos," he said as passengers waited on the tarmac. He also instructed Dickson not to discuss the event while still on the aircraft, to which the first officer confirmed, "So at this point we can't discuss anything with anybody, right?" Johartchi replied, "Nope."
Investigation and Aircraft Damage
The NTSB's preliminary report stated that the plane's left main landing gear left the paved surface and struck a recessed concrete structure, resulting in its separation. Passengers were eventually forced to disembark using an emergency gate ladder.
The incident remains under investigation, and a final cause has not been determined. The release of the cockpit recording and surveillance video offers a stark insight into the challenges of landing in adverse conditions and the human response to such critical events.
