A United Airlines flight safely returned to Houston due to a reported engine issue shortly after takeoff.
HOUSTON — A United Airlines flight from Houston to Frankfurt was forced to return to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) Saturday following a reported engine issue shortly after takeoff.
According to the Houston Fire Department, United Flight 46 departed Bush Airport shortly after 7 p.m. en route to Germany but turned back after a report of a possible engine fire not long after departure.
However, upon inspection after safely landing back in Houston, no smoke or fire was found, HFD said.
In a statement to KHOU 11, United Airlines said the aircraft “safely returned to Houston to address a maintenance issue” and confirmed that the plane had to release fuel before landing in order to avoid being overweight.
The airline swapped the aircraft and expected to get customers on their way to Frankfurt later in the evening.
Read the statement from United Airlines:
On May 31, United flight 46 from Houston to Frankfurt safely returned to Houston to address a maintenance issue. The plane had to release fuel to avoid landing overweight. The flight will swap to a new aircraft, and we expect to get our customers on their way this evening local time.