LOS ANGELES— A United Airlines (UA) Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner operating from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) experienced a serious engine fire that proved difficult to extinguish despite multiple onboard suppression attempts.
The incident involved flight UA2127 and occurred shortly after departure during climb-out, triggering an in-flight emergency and return to origin.
The aircraft, powered by twin GE Aerospace GEnx-1B76A engines, faced escalating warnings and abnormal engine behaviour as it climbed through 17,000 feet.
Although the crew followed standard fire procedures and discharged both fire bottles, the left engine fire persisted, according to a preliminary investigation by the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
United 787 Engine Fire Report
The incident began when the aircraft was in its initial climb phase after a normal departure from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Pilots reported strong vibrations in the flight controls, accompanied by a noticeable drop in left engine N2 speed, Flight Global reported.
Shortly after, the Engine Indicating and Crew Alerting System (EICAS) displayed an “L ENGINE FIRE” warning for the left GE Aerospace GEnx turbofan. The flight crew immediately initiated the engine fire checklist to contain the situation.
The first fire bottle discharge temporarily cleared the warning, but the alert reappeared within 30 seconds, indicating that the fire had not been fully suppressed.
Fire Suppression Efforts
Following the return of the fire indication, the pilots discharged the second fire bottle and declared an emergency. The aircraft then reversed course toward Los Angeles while continuing to receive repeated fire warnings.
Despite onboard suppression actions, the fire within the left engine remained active long enough to cause thermal damage. The situation required continuous monitoring as the aircraft operated on a single engine during the return phase.
The crew maintained control of the aircraft and prioritised a safe landing while coordinating with air traffic control for an expedited approach.
Landing And Investigation
The aircraft landed safely back at Los Angeles International Airport on one engine, after which an evacuation was ordered as a precautionary measure. Emergency slides were deployed, and passengers and crew evacuated without any reported injuries.
A flight attendant later reported visible fire emanating from the left engine after landing, further confirming the severity of the onboard event.
Post-incident inspection revealed sooting and thermal damage concentrated around the engine core module and extending toward the pylon area.
Investigators also identified high-pressure turbine damage through borescope examination, while the thrust reverser showed only minimal thermal impact.
The NTSB has confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing, with no final cause determined at this stage.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
