This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.
Summary
- A United Airlines 737 MAX 8 was involved in a runway mishap at Houston airport; it is currently unclear what happened.
- The incident follows a recent rudder pedal issue with another United Boeing 737 MAX 8.
A United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 has been involved in a runway incident at Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Current reports from the airport suggest that the aircraft taxied off the taxiway and was not involved in a gear collapse, as some had initially suggested.
The incident comes just a day after it became known that another United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 had been involved in a rudder pedal incident that left it grounded for two weeks. Simple Flying has reached out to United Airlines for comment.
Related
NTSB Launches Another Investigation As United Airlines MAX 8 Rudder Pedals Get Stuck
N47280 remained out of service for two weeks following the incident.
Flight UA2477
The aircraft involved in the incident operated United Airlines flight UA2477 from Memphis International Airport (MEM) to Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). This flight departed from Memphis seven minutes late at 06:37. However, it made up for this delay somewhat in the air, landing at 07:58, half an hour earlier than expected.
As the incident is still developing, it is unclear exactly what occurred when the aircraft landed in Houston, but here is what we know so far from flight data and incident photos. Flight data from Flightradar24 shows that the aircraft appears to have touched down as expected on the runway. It continued straight down the runway as expected, suggesting no immediate issue with the aircraft on touchdown. When it turned off at the end of the runway, it seemed to have turned too wide and ended up in the adjacent grass.
Airport confirms runway excursion
Commenting on the incident, Houston Airport confirmed that the aircraft was involved in a runway excursion, telling Simple Flying,
Around 8 a.m. today, a United Airlines flight landed on a runway at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). As it was exiting the runway for the gate, the aircraft left the pavement and entered the grass along Runway 9-27. Fortunately, no one on board was injured and all passengers were safely transported to the terminal. Per federal regulation, the FAA has been notified. Flights in and out of IAH continue without interruption.
Given the above, it seems as though this incident was a runway excursion that happened to be with a Boeing 737 MAX, rather than a specific incident caused by the aircraft type.
About the aircraft
The aircraft involved in the incident was N27290, a 4.39-year-old Boeing 737 MAX 8 built in Renton. The aircraft was first flown in October 2019 during the 737 MAX grounding. It wasn’t delivered to United Airlines until June 8th, 2023. The aircraft has the MSN 44309.
What do you make of this latest incident? Let us know what you think and why in the comments below.
