United Airlines Boeing Aircraft Loses Landing Gear Wheel in Latest Boeing Incident

A Boeing aircraft operated by United Airlines encountered a harrowing incident as it lost a landing gear wheel during takeoff in Los Angeles before successfully landing in Denver, marking the latest in a series of aviation incidents involving the manufacturer’s planes.

The wheel detachment took place on Flight 1001, with the wheel later found and retrieved in Los Angeles, as confirmed by United Airlines in a statement released on Tuesday. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries either on the ground or among the 174 passengers and seven crew members on board the flight.

According to data from Flightradar24, the aircraft in question was a 29-year-old Boeing 757-200. Notably, Boeing ceased production of the 757 planes back in 2004, adding a historical context to the incident.

While this event adds to the string of mishaps involving Boeing aircraft this year, it’s crucial to emphasize that air travel remains one of the safest modes of transportation, with fatal accidents being exceedingly rare. Boeing has reiterated its commitment to safety and stated that it has implemented significant measures to nurture a culture focused on aviation safety.

It’s important to note that incidents like these might not directly implicate the manufacturer but could reflect the operational and maintenance practices of the airline managing the aircraft.

Earlier this year in March, a United flight bound for Japan was diverted to L.A. after engine failure, resulting in debris landing at San Francisco International Airport. In April, a Southwest Boeing 737-800 experienced an engine cover detachment mid-flight, leading to an emergency landing. Additionally, in January, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max suffered a door plug blowout over Portland, Oregon, prompting an emergency descent.