'Declaring an emergency': United pilot calls out mayday shortly after takeoff
United Flight 108 had just taken off for its journey to Munich at around 6 p.m. As the Boeing 787 was ascending to 10,000 feet, its pilot told air traffic control, "Engine failure, left engine, United 108 declaring an emergency. Mayday, mayday, mayday," according to an audio recording.
Air traffic control asked the pilot if the aircraft could make its "way back into the field" by turning right. "There's nobody between you and the field," the air traffic controller said in the recording.
The flight diverted back to Washington Dulles, landing safely at around 8:33 p.m., according to FlightAware.
In a statement, a United Airlines spokesperson confirmed a "mechanical issue" caused the aircraft's diversion.
"The plane landed safely, was checked by Airports Authority Fire and Rescue personnel then towed to a gate," Crystal Nosal, an airport spokesperson, told USA TODAY. "There was no disruption to other flights."
Once the aircraft was at the gate, all 219 passengers and 11 crew members deplaned. No injuries were reported.
"The flight was subsequently canceled and we arranged alternate travel arrangements to take customers to their destination as soon as possible," the airline continued.
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