Dhaka: A United Airlines flight en route to Munich was forced to turn back shortly after takeoff on July 25, following a suspected engine failure.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operating as Flight 108, had departed Washington Dulles International Airport when the pilot issued a mayday alert just minutes into the journey.

The emergency was declared at around 5,000 feet altitude. In his call to air traffic control, the pilot reported a failure in the left engine and calmly stated, “Mayday, mayday, mayday... United 108 declaring an emergency.”

The aircraft, carrying 219 passengers and 11 crew members, remained airborne for roughly two hours before making a safe landing back at Dulles.

Emergency teams were on standby as the plane returned, but the landing was smooth, and the aircraft was eventually towed to the gate. No injuries were reported.

Flight tracking data showed the plane had departed around 6:11 p.m. local time before circling and reentering Dulles airspace.

Authorities say the pilot followed standard safety procedures, taking a controlled approach to stabilize the aircraft before descent.

Air traffic control ensured a clear path to the runway, assisting in the aircraft’s safe return. “There’s nobody between you and the field,” one controller reassured the crew during the process.

After landing, fire and rescue crews performed a full inspection and found no visible damage. The incident caused no disruption to other airport operations, and the flight was officially canceled.

The incident underscores the critical role of communication and preparedness in modern aviation safety. Investigations into the engine malfunction are expected to follow.

-B