A United Airlines flight bound for Tokyo diverted back to Dulles International Airport after an engine lost power and sparked some brush near the runway during its takeoff, according to statements from United and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA).
Fire teams responded, and the blaze was brought under control. The aircraft returned to Dulles and landed safely around 1:30 p.m., after which responders conducted a post-landing check, MWAA spokesperson Emily McGee noted.
The flight carried 275 passengers and 15 crew members, United confirmed to CNN. There were no reported injuries.
The Boeing 777 had been operating the Washington–Tokyo route, specifically from Dulles to Haneda, United stated. Flight tracking data show this route as a regular pairing for this aircraft.
In the interim, United temporarily closed a United Club lounge at Dulles to help passengers with onward travel arrangements.
United added that a replacement aircraft would be scheduled to operate a later departure for the same flight on Saturday.
This remains a developing story and will be updated with new details as they become available.
