Alaska Airlines Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Los Angeles After Losing Tire at Dulles

An Alaska Airlines B737-900ER made an emergency landing in Los Angeles after losing a tire during its departure from Washington Dulles on 14 November.

An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 was able to make a safe landing at Los Angeles after reportedly losing the tire on departure from Washington Dulles on 14 November 2024.

Alaska Airlines flight AS309, operated by a Boeing 737-900, conducted a departure from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). The aircraft was carrying out a scheduled service to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Alaska Airlines AS309 Washington-Los Angeles

Flight track of American Airlines AS309 from Washington to Los Angeles.

During the takeoff, flight crew reported experiencing a violent jolt through the aircraft. The event was sufficient to cause the deployment of a flight attendant oxygen mask, and cause overhead lockers to open.

Flight crew believe the jolt was consistent with a tire blowing during the takeoff or early climb procedure. A subsequent runway inspection at Washington Dulles confirmed some tire debris was located.

The aircraft’s undercarriage had retracted normally and flight crew elected to continue the flight to the destination Los Angeles International Airport.

On arrival in Los Angeles and emergency landing was conducted and passengers were instructed to assume the emergency brace position for landing. The aircraft was able to land safely under directional control without further incident. The aircraft was met by emergency ground services vehicles as a precaution.

An Alaska Airlines B737-900ER approaches to land. — Adam Moreira (AEMoreira042281), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Flight Details

Flight data shows that flight AS309 had made an on-time departure out of Washington Dulles International Airport at 1728 local time on 14 November.

Following the departure incident, the flight climbed to flight level FL 340 (34,000 feet) and proceeded on flight plan track. Upon arrival, the descent procedure was conducted normally and an emergency landing was then safely carried out.

The aircraft conducting the AS309 service from Washington, DC was a Boeing 737-900ER, registered N461AS. This is a 10.7-year-old narrowbody aircraft belonging to the carrier Alaska Airlines.

It has been an operational service with the airline since its initial delivery from the factory in March 2014.