A United Airlines aircraft caught fire on the tarmac at Newark Liberty International Airport on Monday, prompting an emergency evacuation that resulted in no injuries, authorities said.
Incident Details
The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. local time when the plane, a Boeing 737-900, was preparing for departure to Denver. Passengers reported hearing a loud bang and seeing flames near the right engine. Flight attendants quickly initiated evacuation procedures, and all 166 passengers and six crew members exited via emergency slides.
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey police and fire units responded within minutes. The fire was extinguished by 3:15 p.m., and the aircraft was towed to a remote area for inspection.
Passenger Accounts
Passenger Maria Gonzalez, 34, described the scene as chaotic but orderly. "We heard a pop, and then smoke started filling the cabin. Everyone was scared, but the crew did an amazing job getting us out quickly," she said.
Another traveler, James Chen, 45, noted that the evacuation took less than two minutes. "It was terrifying, but we were all off the plane before it really got bad," he added.
Airline Response
United Airlines released a statement confirming the incident and praising the crew's swift actions. "Safety is our top priority, and we are grateful for the professionalism of our team and the emergency responders," the statement read. The airline is cooperating with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board in the investigation.
United has arranged for alternate transportation for affected passengers and is offering full refunds or rebooking options.
Investigation Underway
The FAA and NTSB have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire. Preliminary reports indicate no signs of foul play. The aircraft has been grounded pending a thorough examination.
Newark Liberty International Airport operations were briefly disrupted, but no other flights were significantly affected. The airport remains open and operational.
