A morning that commenced like any other at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston took an unforeseen turn when United Airlines Flight 2477 veered off its path. Passengers found themselves evacuated onto the taxiway on Friday morning after their aircraft unexpectedly rolled onto the grass while exiting the taxiway.
According to ABC13 Houston, the incident unfolded at approximately 8 a.m., involving a Boeing 737 MAX 8 that had arrived from Memphis. With 160 passengers and six crew members aboard, the aircraft ended up partially tilted, causing an urgent yet orderly evacuation.
According to an airport spokesperson, the evacuation procedure went smoothly, ensuring the safety of everyone involved. "Passengers were evacuated from a United flight at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Friday morning," the spokesperson highlighted, adding, "The spokesperson said everyone was evacuated safely and no injuries were reported."
Passengers found themselves deplaned on the taxiway, where buses were ready to transport them to the terminal. Meanwhile, emergency services, including substantial police and fire department presence, swiftly surrounded the aircraft, which was visually leaning to one side with its left wing touching the ground.
This episode prompted an immediate response from both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and United Airlines, who announced an investigation into the matter. The FAA's statement detailed the event:
"After landing at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, United Airlines Flight 2477 rolled onto the grass when exiting onto the taxiway around 8 a.m. local time on Friday, March 8. The passengers deplaned on the taxiway and were bused to the terminal. The Boeing 737 departed from Memphis International Airport. Please contact the airline for additional information. The FAA will investigate."
A passenger recounted a startling moment before the evacuation, noting a significant disturbance. "ABC13 spoke with a passenger who was on the plane the moment the incident happened. He says there was a 'huge pop' before the aircraft tilted over, catching the passengers by surprise." This account hints at the sudden, unexpected nature of the event, encapsulating the moment of confusion and concern amongst those on board. Despite the alarm this incident raised, operations at George Bush Intercontinental Airport continued unaffected. The Houston Airport System confirmed that there was no disruption to other flights, highlighting the airport's ability to manage the situation with minimal operational impact.
As the dust settles, the focus shifts to understanding the reasons behind such an unusual occurrence. United Airlines, in collaboration with the FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and Boeing, has committed to thoroughly investigating the incident. This collective approach aims not only to uncover the factors that led to the plane's deviation but also to implement measures to prevent future occurrences.
In addition, the quick and professional response by the Houston Fire Department, which escalated the situation to an "alert three," signifies the severity with which the incident was handled, ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew.
Meanwhile, efforts were made to reunite passengers with their belongings as swiftly as possible, minimizing the inconvenience caused by the sudden evacuation.
This event at George Bush Intercontinental Airport underscores the importance of preparedness and quick response in ensuring passenger safety during unexpected situations.
With no injuries reported and an ongoing investigation, the aviation community looks forward to understanding and learning from this incident to further enhance safety measures.
United Airlines and the relevant aviation authorities' commitment to scrutiny and transparency is a reassuring response to an undoubtedly nerve-wracking event for those involved.
