A terrifying incident unfolded at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, when passengers on a United Airlines flight witnessed flames erupting from the engine just before takeoff. The frightening moment on Sunday led to an emergency evacuation, causing panic among those on board.
Engine Fire Sparks Chaos Before Departure
The flight was scheduled to depart for New York City’s LaGuardia Airport with 104 passengers and five crew members on board. At around 8:30 a.m. (local time), as the plane prepared for takeoff, passengers noticed flames bursting from one of the aircraft’s wings. Shocking videos captured from inside the plane show bright orange flames, with terrified passengers pleading for evacuation.
“Please, please, get us out of here. It’s on fire,“ one passenger was heard shouting in a video.
🚨#BREAKING: Numerous passengers were evacuated after United Airlines plane after it caught fire during takeoff
A United Airlines flight from Houston to New York was evacuated after an engine fire forced the crew to abort takeoff, according to the FAA.… pic.twitter.com/bfoYcALkjW
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) February 2, 2025
Emergency Evacuation Ensures Safety
The airline crew acted swiftly, initiating evacuation procedures. Passengers exited the aircraft via emergency slides and stairs directly onto the runway. Once safely deplaned, they were transported back to the terminal by bus. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident.
United Airlines and FAA Respond
United Airlines released a statement addressing the event:
“Passengers deplaned on the runway via a combination of slides and stairs and were bused to the terminal. We arranged another aircraft to take customers to their destination at 2:00 p.m. CT.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also confirmed the incident, stating that the flight was halted on the runway due to the engine fire. A detailed investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the malfunction.
Recent Aviation Tragedies
This incident comes shortly after a devastating mid-air collision between an American Airlines plane and a military aircraft over Washington, D.C., resulting in 67 fatalities.
What are your thoughts on this shocking event?