A United Airlines flight bound for Tokyo was forced to return to the United States after it suffered an engine failure shortly after takeoff. The Boeing 777-200ER was carrying 275 passengers and 15 crew members when the incident took place.

Boeing 777 suffers engine failure

According to Reuters, the airline said the aircraft suffered a loss of power in one engine soon after departure, and prompted the pilots to return to Washington Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia. During the incident, a portion of the engine cover reportedly broke off and caught fire, with debris falling to the ground and sparking a brush fire near the runway.

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Despite the engine failure, the aircraft landed safely, and no injuries were reported. “Shortly after takeoff, United flight 803 returned to Washington Dulles and landed safely to address the loss of power in one engine,” the airline said in a statement quoted by FOX 5. “There were no reported injuries.”

United added that it temporarily closed a United Club lounge at Dulles to assist affected passengers and make alternate travel arrangements. “United is grateful to our crews and to the teams at Washington Dulles for their quick work to help ensure the safety of everyone involved,” the statement added. The flight will be rescheduled using a different aircraft.

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Boeing circled in air before landing

Videos of the incident later surfaced on social media, showing a brush fire near the runway at Dulles. A passenger who shared the footage said the aircraft circled in the air to burn off fuel before landing. The airport is located about 40 km from Washington, DC, and is the closest international airport to the US capital.

Sean Duffy shared update on the incident

US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said he had been briefed on the incident involving United Flight 803 from Dulles to Japan, adding that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the matter. He also thanked “brave first responders” for their swift action.

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority confirmed that the fire had been quickly extinguished. “United flight 803 ignited some brush around the runway as it was departing Dulles Airport. The fire was extinguished and the flight returned to Dulles, landing safely at about 1:30 pm after being checked by airport fire responders,” the authority said in a statement.