United Airlines plane experiences tire mishap during takeoff from San Francisco International Airport
Unexpected incident leads to tire landing in nearby parking lot and damaging vehicles
On a recent morning, a United Airlines plane departing from San Francisco International Airport encountered an unusual problem when one of its tires detached and fell off during takeoff. The tire, belonging to United Flight 35, ultimately landed in an employee parking lot, causing damage to several vehicles in the process. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the flight proceeded to land safely in Los Angeles.
Incident details and response
Following the occurrence, SFO spokesman Doug Yakel revealed that the runway had to be temporarily closed to facilitate the removal of debris caused by the tire. Despite this unexpected delay, airport operations were not significantly impacted.
Flight diversion and aftermath
Originally bound for Osaka, Japan, Flight 35 was redirected to Los Angeles International Airport for an emergency landing. The aircraft, identified as a Boeing 777-200, is equipped with six tires on each of its dual main landing gear struts, enabling it to safely land even with missing or damaged tires. The total number of individuals onboard the flight included 235 customers, 10 flight attendants, and 4 pilots.
United Airlines’ prompt response
In response to the incident, United Airlines expressed gratitude towards the pilots, flight attendants, and ground teams involved in managing the situation efficiently. Passengers were promptly accommodated on a new aircraft at LAX for their onward journey to Osaka. The airline also assured the affected individuals, both passengers and owners of damaged vehicles at SFO, that their needs will be addressed appropriately.