NTSB Releases Preliminary Report on United Airlines Engine Failure in Singapore

The US National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) has released a preliminary report on the United Airlines engine failure incident that occurred over a month ago on a flight from Singapore to San Francisco. The incident involved a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which had to return to Singapore Changi Airport shortly after takeoff.

The incident took place on May 14th, 2024, involving United Airlines flight UA28. Approximately 30 minutes into the flight, the crew heard a "pop" and the aircraft "shuttered," leading to a fire warning for the left engine. The flight crew declared an emergency and safely returned to Singapore Changi Airport, with no injuries reported among the 197 passengers and 14 crew members onboard.

Upon inspection, damage to the nacelle and a hole in the left engine were discovered. The NTSB has stated that it will download data recorders at its Washington, D.C. headquarters and conduct a teardown examination of the engine to determine the root cause of the failure.

This incident is one of several recent issues involving United Airlines' Boeing 787s. Another incident involved flight UA801, which diverted to San Francisco due to a smoke detector alert. Additionally, a Boeing 787-10 experienced extreme turbulence, resulting in a diversion to New York Stewart Airport and injuries to over 20 passengers.

The recent string of safety incidents has prompted increased oversight from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), affecting United Airlines' stock value. Despite these challenges, some incidents, such as turbulence-related diversions, are beyond the airline's control.

The aviation industry is also grappling with increased reports of extreme clear air turbulence, which is linked to climate change and rising global temperatures. Airlines like Emirates are investing in new technology to enhance operational safety and address this growing issue.