United flight suffers engine failure mid-air, scatters debris over US city

The airline on Twitter wrote, “Flight UA328 from Denver to Honolulu experienced an engine failure shortly after departure, returned safely to Denver and was met by emergency crews as a precaution”.

United Airlines flight #UA328 suffered an engine failure shortly after takeoff from Denver this afternoon. The 777 returned safely to Denver. Playback, data, photos, and video available at https://t.co/D62a5wsBzR pic.twitter.com/udSY1ebGo2

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) February 20, 2021

Debris from the engine was scattered across the Colorado city of Broomfield.

As per authorities, the airline had 231 passengers and 10 crew onboard and despite the stricken engine, there were no injuries on the plane or on the ground.

A video shot from inside the plane showed the right engine ablaze and wobbling on the wing of the Boeing 777-200, its cover entirely missing as the aircraft flew over a barren landscape.

UPDATE / VIDEO: Footage from on-board United #UA328 which suffered an engine failure after take-off from Denver en-route to Honolulu (Boeing 777-200 N772UA) earlier, dropping parts on a residential area. Flight returned to DEN. No injuries being reported.

Source: @michaelagiulia pic.twitter.com/cbNDCJCvwt

— Airport Webcams (@AirportWebcams) February 20, 2021

One person shared video online, just moments before an explosion occurred in the sky.

I saw an explosion on this low flying aircraft over @broomfield about 45 minutes ago. Debris fell from the plane and left a black cloud of smoke. The plane continued on. Any new on if this plane landed safely? @BroomfieldPD @NMFirePIO @9NEWS @KyleClark pic.twitter.com/paMCdiuWMN

— Tyler Thal (@tgthal) February 20, 2021

One shot showed the rim of the engine had landed in the front yard of a nearby house, just metres from the front door.

These pictures are wild. According to reports, plane debris fell from the sky and landed in different neighborhoods in Denver https://t.co/aRKtJP4q7u pic.twitter.com/8EC6DesIZ2

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) February 20, 2021

Reports followed of engine debris landing in neighborhoods near the plane’s flight path, which was also caught on video.

Pedestrians filmed the falling engine parts impacting the nearby soccer field. @BAREESTHETICSCO pic.twitter.com/YYPdrpqP5Z

— JACDEC (@JacdecNew) February 20, 2021

Hero crew lands United Boeing 777 safely with only one engine working, passengers cheer. pic.twitter.com/4TxwXs6T7Q

— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) February 20, 2021