DENVER- United Airlines (UA) Flight UA329 was en route to Boston (BOS) when, during its departure from Denver, the flight crew opted to abort takeoff in response to reports of engine-related fire.
The aircraft utilized Denver’s (DEN) runway 16L for this purpose, coming to a complete stop, during which it was confirmed that all tires were deflated and incapacitated.
United 737 MAX Fire
Photographs shared by the airline and circulated on various social media platforms depict damage on the right-hand side of the Boeing 737 MAX 9. All four tires are shown as burst, with the wheel rims exhibiting severe damage.
Originally scheduled to depart from Denver International Airport (DEN) at 13:42 on September 30th, United Airlines Flight UA329 was bound for Boston Logan Airport (BOS) in Massachusetts, with an expected arrival time of 19:38.
Following the aircraft’s full stop on the runway, the runway itself was subsequently closed. Emergency services swiftly responded to the scene, and air traffic control communicated that it was safe for the flight to evacuate if necessary, stating, “The Runway is yours.”
Even before the arrival of emergency services, the air traffic control tower observed that the flames had subsided.
FAA Initial Report
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued the following preliminary statement regarding the incident:
“During the aircraft’s departure roll, the takeoff was aborted due to the presence of smoke and fire beneath the right-wing, and the Airport Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) team successfully extinguished the fire, which occurred in Denver, CO.”
FAA Preliminary Report
A replacement aircraft was arranged and was able to operate the flight approximately five hours later. It eventually took off from Denver (DEN) at 18:37 and landed in Boston during the early hours of October 1st, at 00:12.
This replacement flight was conducted using a relatively new Boeing 737 MAX 9, registered as N37541, with serial number 64469. This particular aircraft had been delivered to United Airlines in November of the previous year.
The aircraft has not reported any further flights since the incident and is presumably stationed on the apron at Denver while undergoing inspections for any additional damage and necessary repairs.
Similar Incident
Chicago-based United Airlines (UA) Boeing 737 MAX aircraft experienced a tire blowout during its landing at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
This incident occurred on flight UA450, which had departed from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) roughly four hours earlier and was operated by one of the airline’s Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes.
Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries among the 176 passengers and six crew members aboard the aircraft. However, passengers reportedly had to remain on the plane for up to two hours after landing, waiting for buses to transport them to the terminal building.
The affected aircraft has since been towed away for necessary repairs. Currently, it remains on the ground in Seattle, approximately 12 hours following the incident.
Following the tire blowout, the 737 MAX 9 safely moved off the runway onto one of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s taxiways, thus avoiding any operational disruptions for other flights at the airport.
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