A United Airlines Boeing 737-900 scheduled for Phoenix safely aborted its takeoff at Chicago O’Hare International Airport after blowing a tire on the runway, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Flight 455 was carrying 161 passengers and six crew members when the incident occurred.
Emergency Response and Passenger Disembarkation
Following the aborted takeoff, all 161 passengers and six crew members disembarked directly onto the runway, according to the FAA. Passengers were subsequently loaded onto buses and transported back to the terminal. Video footage shared on social media captured a broad emergency response deployment across the airfield, showing multiple buses waiting on the tarmac to clear the passengers from the aircraft.
United Airlines stated in a communication issued at approximately 4:00 p.m. local time that airline coordinators were working to secure an alternative aircraft to transport the affected passengers to Phoenix later that same day.
Airport Operations and Federal Investigation
The disabled aircraft temporarily impacted airfield flow at O’Hare.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that it has opened an official investigation into the cause of the tire blowout during the high-speed departure roll. Regulatory officials have not yet released additional operational data regarding the mechanical failure.
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