A United Airlines flight was aborted after one of its engines caught fire before takeoff, which resulted in smoke gushing from one of its wings while it was on the tarmac at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport on Monday (May 27).
A video captured by Ivan Paloalto and shared by ABC 7 Chicago shows United Airbus 320 Flight 2091, which was scheduled to depart to Seattle at around 2:00 p.m. local time, emitting smoke from its wing as it was moving on the tarmac. The plane was then halted prior to takeoff due to what United said was an engine issue, which immediately led to the Federal Aviation Administration ceasing airport operations, resulting in several incoming planes circling overhead.
"We were in the air, and they said, 'I'm sorry for the delay. You're going to be late a little bit, because in Chicago, there's an emergency,'" said Carmen Hernandez, a passenger traveling home from Nashville, via ABC 7 Chicago.
United said the plane was towed back to the gate and passengers deplaned before operations at O'Hare resumed during a busy Memorial Day traveling schedule at around 2:45 p.m local time, the FAA confirmed via the New York Post.
“We are working to make alternative travel arrangements for customers,” United said.
No injuries were reported in relation to the incident, which United claims was "immediately addressed" by first responders.