Following a series of recent incidents, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is closely scrutinizing Chicago-based United Airlines. Over the next few weeks, increased oversight from the agency is expected as it reviews the airline’s operational procedures, manuals, and facilities.
In the past fortnight, passengers and crew have witnessed operational and safety issues on United flights. The first incident involved one of the carrier’s Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, which unexpectedly veered onto the grass at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Texas.
Subsequently, a flight bound for Osaka, Japan, from San Francisco experienced a tire blowout during takeoff, causing it to descend mid-air into the staff parking lot at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), damaging several vehicles and a fence.
The tire failure prompted the flight’s diversion to Los Angeles, where it landed safely, and passengers were re-accommodated onto another flight later that day.
In a memo to staff obtained by Reuters, United’s Vice President for Corporate Safety, Sasha Johnson, acknowledged the recent incidents as catalysts for reflection on operational practices. Emphasizing a commitment to safety, Johnson welcomed engagement with the FAA to identify potential areas for improvement to enhance safety measures further.
The FAA, in response, affirmed its routine monitoring of airline operations, focusing on regulatory compliance, hazard identification, risk assessment, and safety management.
United’s Chief Executive Officer, Scott Kirby, reassured customers of the airline’s prioritization of safety. Following recent events, Kirby emphasized a heightened focus on understanding incident details to improve training and procedures across the airline network.
While recent incidents might raise concerns about air travel safety, the FAA’s proactive intervention underscores its dedication to ensuring aircraft, passenger, and crew safety.
Advancements in incident reporting, crew training, and manufacturing developments have significantly improved in-flight safety, exemplified by successful emergency evacuations like the Japan Airlines flight 516 incident in January.