A United Airlines flight from Houston to New York caught fire during takeoff at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Sunday (local time), as reported by the New York Post.
The plane had to be evacuated after flames erupted from one of its wings while it was taxiing for departure.
Emergency Response:
The Houston Fire Department (HFD) confirmed that no injuries were reported.
“HFD’s Airport Rescue Firefighters are assisting at @iah after a departing plane reported an issue on the runway. HFD assisted in deboarding the plane. No injuries have been reported at this time,” the department wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Passenger Panic:
A video recorded by a passenger captured the terrifying moment as people screamed upon seeing flames.
The aircraft was carrying 104 passengers and five crew members. Further details regarding the cause of the fire are still awaited.
Recent Aviation Incidents:
The United Airlines incident is the latest in a series of aviation accidents reported recently:
- Friday Night: A Learjet 55 crashed near a mall in Philadelphia, killing seven people and injuring 19 others.
- Wednesday: An American Airlines plane collided with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport, causing both aircraft to crash into the Potomac River, with 67 feared dead.
Authorities are investigating the recent surge in aviation accidents, raising concerns over flight safety protocols worldwide.