United Airlines Flight Aborts Takeoff in Beijing After Flames Erupt from Wing

Beijing, China – May 28, 2025

A United Airlines flight bound for San Francisco from Beijing Capital International Airport was forced to abort its takeoff on Monday, May 26, 2025, after flames were seen shooting from the right wing of the Boeing 777-200. The incident, which occurred around 5:30 p.m. local time, involved United Flight 889 carrying 229 passengers and crew. No injuries were reported, and all passengers were safely evacuated after the plane came to a stop on the runway.

According to passenger accounts and video footage circulating on social media, the incident began with a loud bang on the right side of the aircraft, followed by visible flames and smoke emanating from the engine. One passenger, posting on the Chinese social media platform Red Note, described smelling something burning inside the cabin moments before the pilots halted the takeoff. “Family and friends, we’ve started to smell something burning inside the plane,” the post read, as reported by The Global Times. The dramatic footage showed a fireball erupting from the engine, prompting panic among passengers.

United Airlines confirmed the incident was due to a “mechanical failure” in the right engine, which lost power during the takeoff roll. The pilots promptly aborted the maneuver, and airport rescue firefighters extinguished the fire. The aircraft was towed to the gate, where passengers deplaned normally and were rebooked on alternative flights. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Chinese aviation authorities are investigating the incident, with initial reports suggesting a possible compressor stall or foreign object ingestion as the cause.

This incident marks the latest in a series of high-profile safety concerns for United Airlines. In February 2025, a United Airbus A319 aborted takeoff in Houston after an engine fire, and in March 2024, a Boeing 737-900 made an emergency landing in Houston after flames were seen mid-flight. Earlier incidents include a plane striking an animal during takeoff in Denver in April 2025 and a string of maintenance issues reported in 2024. Despite these events, aviation experts maintain that air travel remains statistically safe. “These incidents are rare and highlight the robustness of safety protocols,” said pilot and author Patrick Smith in a recent Boston Globe interview.

Passenger sentiment on X reflects heightened anxiety, with @joncoopertweets stating, “It’s no wonder why Americans are increasingly afraid to fly under Trump’s FAA,” while @KristyTallman described the Beijing incident as “terrifying.” Conversely, @billm8888 noted United’s swift response in confirming the mechanical issue. The airline has not released a timeline for the aircraft’s return to service but emphasized its commitment to safety and cooperation with investigators.

For further details, see coverage from ABC News and San Francisco Chronicle.