A United Airlines flight headed for Tokyo was forced to return to Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia on Saturday afternoon after one of its engines failed shortly after takeoff, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The airline confirmed that the Boeing 777-200, carrying 275 passengers and 15 crew members, landed safely with no reported injuries. Social media posts showed smoke rising near the runway at Dulles, located about 25 miles from Washington, D.C.
Officials said a portion of the plane’s engine cover detached and caught fire, igniting a small brush fire on the airport grounds. The fire was quickly extinguished. The FAA will investigate the incident involving United Flight 803. United Airlines plans to reschedule the Tokyo flight later on Saturday using a different aircraft.