Engine failure forces San Francisco-bound United Airlines flight back to Changi

SINGAPORE – A United Airlines flight bound for San Francisco returned to Singapore less than two hours after take-off on May 14 due to an issue with the plane’s engine.

There were no reported injuries among the 197 passengers and 14 crew members, according to the San Francisco Chronicle in a May 14 report.

Flight UA 28 returned to Changi Airport and landed safely at 11.04pm on May 14, an airport spokes­person said on May 17 in response to e-mail queries from The Straits Times.

The plane took off on May 14 at 9.37pm, added the spokesperson.

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner ascended to about 31,000 feet before the plane returned to Changi Airport, according to website Aviation A2Z. The aircraft is about nine years old.

“(The) aircraft departed, (and) shortly after reported a #1 left engine failure and returned to (the) airport,” said a notice on the website of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“Post-flight inspection revealed a hole in the left engine cowling and engine case.”

There were no injuries mentioned in the FAA notice.

A United Airlines spokesperson told the Chronicle that the flight landed safely and all passengers disembarked without any issues.

The spokesperson added that the airline was arranging hotel accommodation and meal vouchers in Singapore for affected passengers, who would be rebooked on another flight that was due to depart on May 15 on another aircraft.

ST has contacted United Airlines for more information.