O'Hare Flight Aborted
United Airlines Flight Aborts Takeoff at O'Hare After Dual Tire Blowout Incident
Key Points
ATC audio indicates two blown tires on United's right main gear during the aborted takeoff, with a nearby pilot remarking, 'We saw lots of chunks of tire going down the runway.'
Passengers deplaned on a taxiway (not on the runway) and were bused back to the terminal after the tire failure.
The FAA noted O'Hare was under a ground stop due to thunderstorms, contributing to flight delays as operations were adjusted.
United Airlines described the event as 'ended its takeoff roll after sustaining tire damage' and said passengers deplaned via airstairs while another aircraft was being arranged to take them to Phoenix.
A United Airlines Boeing 737-900 aborted its takeoff at Chicago O'Hare International Airport on Tuesday after blowing tires on its right main landing gear, according to ABC News. The plane, operating as Flight 455 bound for Phoenix, carried 161 passengers and six crew members — none of whom were injured.
Air traffic control audio captured a nearby pilot describing the scene: "We saw lots of chunks of tire going down the runway," according to Deep Arrival. The FAA confirmed the incident and said it is now investigating the cause of the tire damage.
Two Tires Blow as Flight 455 Rolls for Takeoff
The tire failure happened at approximately 1:45 p.m. local time, ABC News reported. ATC audio indicates two tires on the aircraft's right main gear failed during the takeoff roll. United Airlines said the plane "ended its takeoff roll after sustaining tire damage." Video from the scene showed a large emergency response on the runway shortly after the abort.
The Boeing 737-900 came to a stop safely. No emergency evacuation slides were deployed. United said passengers deplaned via portable airstairs — also called an airstair ramp — which allows people to walk off the plane directly onto the tarmac, according to CBS News.
161 Passengers Bused Back After Deplaning on Taxiway
Passengers did not deplane on the runway itself. They exited onto a nearby taxiway, Deep Arrival reported. All 167 people on board — 161 customers and six crew members — were then bused back to the terminal. No injuries were reported among any of them.
United Airlines said it arranged a separate aircraft to take passengers to their destination. The flight to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport departed later in the day, according to ABC News.
O'Hare Already Under Ground Stop Due to Thunderstorms
The incident added to a rough afternoon at O'Hare. The FAA noted the airport was already under a ground stop — a temporary halt to departures — because of thunderstorms in the area, according to Archy Netys. That weather-related delay was compounding flight disruptions before the tire blowout even occurred.
The disabled aircraft on the taxiway forced the airport to adjust runway operations, causing additional delays. Flights were held or rerouted as crews worked to clear the scene and inspect the area for debris from the blown tires, Head Topics reported.
FAA Opens Investigation Into Cause of Tire Failure
The FAA is now leading an investigation into what caused the tires to fail. Authorities have not yet said whether a foreign object on the runway, a mechanical defect, or another factor was responsible, according to Archy Netys. Inspectors will examine the aircraft and the runway surface as part of the probe.
Tire blowouts during takeoff are rare but not unheard of. Aborted takeoffs — known as "rejected takeoffs" in aviation — are a standard safety procedure pilots train for. In this case, the crew's quick response kept all 167 people on board safe, CBS News reported.
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