United Airlines Flight 803, a Boeing 777 bound for Tokyo, returned to Washington Dulles on Dec. 13 after losing power in one engine and igniting brush near the runway. Fire crews extinguished the blaze and the plane landed safely about an hour later. No injuries were reported among the 275 passengers and 15 crew members. United temporarily closed a Dulles lounge to assist customers and said a different aircraft would continue the flight later that day.
United Flight 803 Returns to Dulles After Engine Power Loss Ignites Brush Fire — No Injuries
ADEK BERRY/AFP via GettyUnited Airlines plane
A United Airlines Boeing 777 operating as Flight 803, bound for Tokyo, returned to Washington Dulles International Airport on Dec. 13 after losing power in one engine shortly after takeoff and igniting nearby brush, officials said.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) reported the event occurred at approximately 12:20 p.m. as the jet departed Dulles. "United flight 803 ignited some brush around the runway as it was departing Dulles Airport," an MWAA representative said. Fire crews extinguished the blaze and the aircraft returned to land safely at about 1:30 p.m., where airport fire responders inspected the jet.
SAUL LOEB/AFP via GettyWashington Dulles International Airport
"The flight returned to address the loss of power in one engine," United Airlines said, adding that there were no reported injuries among passengers or crew.
The airline confirmed the flight had 275 passengers and 15 crew members on board. United praised its crews and the Washington Dulles teams for their response and said it temporarily closed a United Club lounge at Dulles to assist affected customers. The carrier also said it would schedule a different aircraft to continue the flight later that day.
Video from the scene showed smoke rising from vegetation near the runway as airport firefighters worked to control the small brush fire while other aircraft remained on the ground nearby. After landing, airport fire and rescue personnel inspected the aircraft; authorities reported no further damage beyond the vegetation fire.
Timeline & Safety Response
~12:20 p.m. — Engine issue occurred shortly after departure from Dulles.
~1:30 p.m. — Aircraft landed back at Dulles and was checked by fire and rescue teams.
Outcome: Fire extinguished, no injuries, and passengers assisted with rebooking on a different aircraft later in the day.
Airport and airline officials continue to investigate the incident to determine the cause of the engine power loss. United emphasized the priority placed on safety and the coordinated response by flight crews and airport teams.
