A United Airlines Boeing 777-200 bound for Tokyo returned safely to Washington Dulles International Airport on December 13, 2025, after experiencing an engine failure shortly after takeoff that ignited a brush fire near a runway, officials said. No injuries were reported among the 275 passengers and 15 crew members on board.
United Flight 803 departed Washington Dulles on the afternoon of December 13 but turned back minutes later when one of its engines lost power, the airline said. The aircraft landed without incident, and passengers were transported back to the terminal.
Photographs and videos posted on social media showed smoke rising from airport property near a runway. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority confirmed that a small brush fire ignited on airport grounds and was quickly extinguished. The agency did not report any damage to airport facilities.
According to a statement provided to news outlets, United said the aircraft “returned to the airport shortly after takeoff due to an issue with one engine.” The airline said passengers would continue to Tokyo later in the day aboard a different aircraft.
The Federal Aviation Administration said it will investigate the incident. In a brief statement, the agency identified the aircraft as a Boeing 777-200 and confirmed that the flight returned to Dulles “after the crew reported an engine failure.” The FAA did not release information about the cause of the failure or whether any components separated from the engine prior to landing.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wrote on X that a piece of the engine’s outer covering separated and caused the ground fire, though federal investigators have not yet issued a formal assessment. Local fire crews responded immediately, and airport operations continued with minimal disruption.
The incident prompted a visible emergency response at Dulles, as smoke from the ground fire was briefly noticeable from nearby roads and terminals. Despite the dramatic images circulated online, officials emphasized that the crew maintained full control of the aircraft and executed a safe return.
The National Transportation Safety Board did not immediately announce whether it would join the investigation. The FAA typically leads inquiries into engine malfunctions unless significant structural damage or injuries occur.
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 777-200 powered by GE90 engines, the type United uses exclusively on its long-haul 777 fleet. The GE90 series has an extensive service history and a strong safety record, with major in-flight power losses considered rare. Investigators have not released information about the cause of the failure, and there is no indication of any broader issue affecting the engine type.
United said it was working with customers to rebook travel and would provide additional updates as the investigation progresses.