United Airlines flight evacuated as cabin goes up in flames
- A Detroit-bound United Airlines flight experienced a cabin fire shortly after take-off from Newark Airport.
- The aircraft returned to Newark shortly after 5 pm, where emergency procedures were implemented for passenger evacuation.
- Authorities reported no injuries, and the airport noted that flights were delayed due to the incident.
On Wednesday, December 4, 2024, a significant incident occurred at Newark Liberty International Airport in the United States when a United Airlines flight, designated as Flight 3439, was forced to return shortly after its departure. The aircraft, which was en route to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, began to experience critical issues in its cabin when a fire erupted. The plane took off at approximately 4:30 pm and it quickly became apparent that the situation was serious as smoke began to fill the cabin, prompting immediate action from the flight crew. Upon realizing the potential danger to passengers, the crew decided to turn the aircraft back to Newark, where it landed safely around 5 pm. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the flight crew had successfully executed the emergency procedure, allowing all passengers and crew to exit the aircraft without any reported injuries. The emergency response was swift, with the plane deploying its evacuation chutes to ensure that everyone could disembark safely. Once evacuated, passengers were transported to Terminal C via bus, illustrating the efficiency of the airport's emergency protocols. Following the incident, Newark Airport released a statement acknowledging the situation and alerted travelers that their flights might be affected due to police activity connected to the event. Many flights experienced delays, with reports indicating that, on average, the delays were around an hour. The airport also closed temporarily for about an hour to manage the emergency and ensure all safety protocols were followed. By around 5:55 pm, air traffic operations resumed, indicating that the immediate danger had passed and evacuation procedures were completed. Though the investigations into the exact cause of the fire in the aircraft's cabin have not yet been confirmed, airline officials assured that efforts were ongoing to rebook the passengers who were impacted by this incident. The airline, United Airlines, along with the flight operator, Republic Airways, is expected to provide further updates regarding the incident. This occurrence has raised discussions on the safety measures in place during flights and the potential risks associated with in-flight emergencies, emphasizing the need for continued diligence and improvement within the aviation industry.