Overview
- The Boeing 777 operating United Flight 803 from Washington Dulles to Tokyo Haneda lost power in one engine shortly after takeoff, igniting grass near a runway.
- Pilots jettisoned fuel over Dale City as part of emergency procedures, an action documented by resident video and reflected in air-traffic-control recordings.
- Controllers cleared an immediate return and airport crews extinguished the vegetation fire, with the aircraft touching down around 1:30 p.m. and no injuries reported.
- United reported 275 passengers and 15 crew on board and temporarily converted a United Club at Dulles into a passenger assistance center.
- The FAA said it will investigate and technicians are inspecting the aircraft, while a runway was briefly closed without disrupting broader airport operations.