United Airlines Boeing 777 Makes Emergency Landing in Houston After Engine Fire

A United Airlines Boeing 777-200ER bound for Munich made an emergency landing at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston on June 19, 2026, after a fire broke out in its right engine shortly after takeoff. The airline said the crew issued an emergency call to air traffic control and reported that the aircraft had lost an engine.

Passengers said they heard a continuous sequence of 15 loud explosions that could be felt in the cabin, while flames were seen coming from the right wing as the plane landed with the engine burning. The pilots stopped climbing at 3,000 feet and returned to the airport about 40 minutes after the original departure.

Emergency crews met the aircraft on the runway and dealt with the engine problem. United Airlines confirmed that all 267 passengers and 13 crew members got off safely and were not injured.

The 27-year-old aircraft was taken out of service temporarily for maintenance checks.