HOUSTON — Passengers had to be evacuated from a United Airlines plane after it rolled off a runway and got stuck in the grass in Houston Friday morning.
No injuries were reported among the 160 passengers and six crew members, United Airlines said in a statement. Video taken after the landing showed the plane tilted to one side with one of its wings very close to the ground.
Flight 2477 from Memphis, Tennessee had landed at Bush Intercontinental Airport around 8 a.m. and was rolling toward a terminal gate when the Boeing 737 Max 8 left the pavement, the Houston Airport System said in a statement.
Stairs were brought to the plane and the crew helped all passengers safely leave, United said.
The airline did not immediately say what caused the plane to veer off the runway. The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating.
“All passengers have been bused to the terminal and are being assisted by our team with their onward connections and other needs. We are removing luggage from the aircraft and will work to reunite customers with their belongings as quickly as possible,” United said. “We will work with the NTSB, FAA and Boeing to understand what happened.”
Flights in and out of Bush Intercontinental continued without interruption, the airport system said.
Another United jetliner lost a tire while taking off from San Francisco on Thursday, and later landed safely in Los Angeles, with no injuries reported.
On December 20, 2021, a United Airlines plane skidded off the runway at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas. The incident occurred as the aircraft was landing, causing it to veer off the runway and come to a stop on the grassy area adjacent to the tarmac.
The plane involved in the incident was a Boeing 737-800, which had been operating a flight from Las Vegas to Houston. There were 167 passengers and six crew members on board at the time of the incident. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries among the passengers or crew.
The cause of the incident is still under investigation, but initial reports suggest that weather conditions may have played a role. At the time of the landing, there were strong winds and heavy rain in the area, which may have contributed to the plane’s difficulty in landing safely.
Following the incident, emergency crews were dispatched to the scene to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew members. The airport’s operations were temporarily disrupted as a result of the incident, with some flights being delayed or diverted to other airports.
United Airlines released a statement following the incident, expressing gratitude that there were no injuries and stating that they are cooperating with authorities in their investigation of the incident. The airline also offered support to passengers and crew members who may have been affected by the incident.
Incidents like this serve as a reminder of the importance of safety protocols and procedures in aviation. While accidents can happen, it is crucial for airlines to prioritize the safety and well-being of their passengers and crew members at all times.
As the investigation into this incident continues, it is hoped that any contributing factors will be identified and addressed to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. In the meantime, passengers are advised to check with their airlines for any updates or changes to their travel plans as a result of this incident.
