United Airlines plane engine reportedly catches fire before takeoff in Chicago

On Memorial Day, a United Airlines flight from Chicago O’Hare International Airport to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport was temporarily disrupted due to a reported engine fire. The incident occurred around 2 p.m. CT, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to halt arrivals at ORD for approximately 45 minutes.

Preliminary findings from the FAA indicated that United Flight 2901 experienced an engine issue. United Airlines, based in Chicago, confirmed the situation and stated that their ground crew and emergency responders promptly addressed the problem. The Airbus A320 aircraft was towed to the gate, and passengers safely disembarked.

Despite the emergency response, there were no reported injuries among the 148 passengers and 5 crew members onboard. Fire and medical personnel were present as a precautionary measure. United Airlines assured that they were arranging alternate travel plans for affected passengers.

Flight delays at O’Hare were noted following the incident, with approximately one in four flights experiencing delays on Monday, as reported by FlightAware, a platform monitoring airline traffic.