The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently completed a thorough review of safety practices at United Airlines after a series of incidents that raised concerns among both the public and aviation authorities. The FAA announced this on October 3, following the completion of their Certificate Holder Evaluation Program for United Airlines. The review aimed to evaluate safety practices and address any concerns related to the airline’s performance.

FAA’s Conclusion: No Major Safety Concerns

In its official statement, the FAA confirmed that the review did not identify any major safety concerns at United. The regulator concluded that the airline has maintained an adequate safety standard. As a result, the FAA has officially ended the enhanced oversight it placed on United Airlines and cleared the airline to resume adding new aircraft and services to its operations.

Why Was United Airlines Under Scrutiny?

The FAA increased its scrutiny of United Airlines after a number of safety-related incidents occurred in 2023. While none of these incidents led to injuries or fatalities, they were significant enough to prompt the aviation regulator to impose additional oversight on the airline. This enhanced scrutiny led to a temporary pause in United’s certification activities, preventing the airline from expanding its fleet and route network during the evaluation period.

Incident Overview

One of the most notable incidents occurred on July 8, when a 30-year-old Boeing 757-200 lost a wheel from its main landing gear shortly after takeoff from Los Angeles International Airport. The aircraft, carrying 174 passengers and seven crew members, managed to land safely in Denver. This event mirrored a similar situation that took place earlier in the year.

On March 7, a Boeing 777-200 lost a tire shortly after departing San Francisco International Airport en route to Japan. The tire landed in an employee parking lot, causing damage to several cars but fortunately no injuries. The aircraft was diverted to Los Angeles, where it landed without further issue.

In the same month, another United Airlines Boeing 777 faced an emergency situation. This aircraft, flying from Sydney to San Francisco, had to make an emergency landing due to a mid-air hydraulic leak.

Other Concerning Incidents

The FAA’s investigation also highlighted other incidents, including a Boeing 737 Max 8 that ran off a taxiway in Houston, and a Boeing 737-800 that landed in Medford, Oregon, missing an external panel. These events, combined with the aforementioned accidents, underscored the need for heightened oversight by the FAA.

United’s Response and Moving Forward

At the time of the FAA’s clearance announcement, United Airlines had not issued any public comments regarding the completion of the safety review or the lifting of the restrictions. However, with the FAA now satisfied that the airline’s operations meet safety standards, United Airlines can focus on resuming its certification activities and expanding its fleet and routes.