In a major mid-air scare, a Munich-bound United Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as Flight UA108, issued a “Mayday” call shortly after taking off from Washington on July 25, 2025. The emergency alert was triggered following a critical failure in the aircraft’s left engine at an altitude of around 5,000 feet.
The pilots quickly notified air traffic control and began emergency procedures to ensure a safe return to Washington Dulles Airport. According to data from FlightAware, the aircraft remained airborne for 2 hours and 38 minutes after the mayday call was made. During this time, the plane circled northwest of Washington in a holding pattern to safely dump fuel, a standard safety protocol before landing with a heavy load.
The incident raised alarms just month after a tragic Air India crash involving another Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that killed around 260 people shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to London’s Gatwick Airport. That crash marked the first fatal accident involving a Dreamliner aircraft.
In the case of UA108, however, the situation was brought under control. Aviation experts praised the quick action of the flight crew in managing the engine failure without any injuries reported.
American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 caught fire
The United Airlines scare comes amid a string of aviation incidents. Just days earlier, an American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8, operating Flight AA3023, was evacuated at Denver International Airport after smoke was detected in the cabin. The FAA later described it as a “possible landing gear incident,” traced back to a tire malfunction.
An American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 was forced to abort takeoff at Denver International Airport on Saturday after a landing gear issue caused a fire and heavy smoke. The plane, Flight 3023, was headed to Miami with 173 passengers and six crew members.
Aviation news outlet Aviation A2Z confirmed that UA108 pilots coordinated with ATC to create safe airspace clearance for the emergency fuel dumping procedure.
Passengers aboard the United flight were later rebooked or accommodated as investigations into the engine malfunction continue.
What Does “Mayday” Mean? Understanding the Universal Distress Call
Mayday what it means. The Mayday which is called by pilot. It’s the call no pilot or ship captain ever wants to make, because it signals serious trouble. The word Mayday is a global distress signal used in radio communications to indicate a life-threatening emergency. It’s most often heard from aircraft or marine vessels, but it can be used in any critical situation where immediate help is required.
