United Airlines Flight Declares Mayday Following Engine Failure: A Calm Response to Crisis
In a tense but professionally managed emergency, a United Airlines flight declared mayday after experiencing a critical engine failure mid-flight. The incident highlights both the risks of modern air travel and the extraordinary preparedness of flight crews and air traffic controllers in managing emergencies.
United Airlines Flight 108: Engine Failure Over U.S. Airspace
Chaos on a United Airlines flight heading to Edmonton after one of the engines caught on fire due to what the airline called a ‘wildlife strike.’
After the crew declared a mayday and shut down the right engine, the plane made an emergency landing in Denver, its original point of… pic.twitter.com/NDC8dGdkD1
— YEGWAVE (@yegwave) April 16, 2025
The incident occurred aboard United Flight 108, a heavy aircraft en route with one engine failure—specifically, the left engine. The flight crew promptly notified air traffic control with a distress call:
“Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. United 108 heavy. Engine failure. Left engine.”
The urgency was unmistakable, but what followed was a textbook display of professionalism and calm decision-making under pressure.
Mayday Declared: What That Means
A mayday call is the most serious emergency signal in aviation, indicating immediate danger that requires urgent assistance. When a United Airlines flight declares mayday, all air traffic communication and routing is immediately prioritized around that flight. In this case, ATC (air traffic control) responded promptly:
“Roger that, sir. There’s nobody between you and the field. You’re cleared direct.”
This kind of rapid coordination is critical to ensuring the safety of both the distressed flight and others in the surrounding airspace.
Flight Crew Response: Calm Under Pressure
The transcript of the ATC communication reveals a steady exchange between the flight crew and air traffic controllers. Despite the failure of a primary engine, the pilot maintained composure and opted to level off at 5,000 feet, buying time for both decision-making and aircraft checklist procedures.
When asked if they preferred to stay at that altitude or begin their descent to final approach, the crew responded:
“We’d like to just stay here… we’re working on a checklist for now.”
The flight had one soul on board and approximately 5 hours of fuel, giving the crew additional flexibility to stabilize the situation. This illustrates a key principle of aviation safety: do not rush when there’s time to manage.
Technical and Operational Coordination
United Airlines flight makes emergency landing at Dulles after pilot declares mayday https://t.co/D1ipnBuqhH
— CTV News (@CTVNews) August 4, 2025
The flight was instructed to prepare for an ILS (Instrument Landing System) approach to Runway 19 Center, allowing the crew to line up safely with maximum navigational guidance. Meanwhile, ATC remained supportive and flexible, assuring the pilot:
“Speed at your discretion. If I need to take you back out for another loop, that’s perfectly fine.”
Such exchanges highlight how both ground and airborne teams are trained not only in technical protocols but also in clear, stress-free communication—a factor often credited for successful emergency outcomes.
No Injuries Reported, Investigation Likely
As of the latest updates, no injuries have been reported. The aircraft landed safely, and the cause of the engine failure will likely be investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Routine maintenance records, engine logs, and black box data will all play a role in determining whether this was a mechanical failure, bird strike, or other anomaly.
Why This Incident Matters
🚨Today: A United Airlines flight #UA830 from Sydney (SYD) to San Francisco (SFO) UA830 declared MAYDAY for a apparent hydraulic leak and returned to Sydney. ✈️
📹 Via @thenewarea51
View #UA830‘s data at https://t.co/zpXQLMYQDu 📊 pic.twitter.com/6o9a13laN9
— AirNav Radar (@AirNavRadar) March 11, 2024
While commercial aviation remains the safest mode of transportation, incidents like this serve as a powerful reminder of why training, communication, and system redundancy are so critical. When a United Airlines flight declares mayday, it activates a multi-layered safety protocol that includes not only onboard crew but also air traffic controllers, emergency services, and company response teams.
This situation is also a testament to the calm leadership displayed by the United Airlines flight crew and the efficient support provided by ATC. Both played key roles in ensuring a safe outcome despite a potentially catastrophic failure.
Final Thoughts
Emergencies in aviation are rare—but when they do occur, they’re a real-world test of countless hours of training, planning, and communication. The recent incident where a United Airlines flight declared mayday underscores how well these systems can function even in high-stress scenarios.
Thankfully, this emergency had a safe and calm resolution, reinforcing the aviation industry’s ongoing commitment to passenger and crew safety above all else.
