A United Airlines Boeing 777 operating a transatlantic service from Rome to New York Newark has declared an emergency and is currently diverting to Paris.
United Airlines flight UA509 Rome – New York
United Airlines flight UA509, a Boeing 777 operating the long-haul flight from Rome (FCO) to New York Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), declared a general emergency squawking code 7700 as it transited French airspace.
![Flight track of United Airlines UA509 from Rome to New York showing diversion to Paris.](https://aviationsourcenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-19-143422-1024x515.jpg)
Flight UA509 departed Rome Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport (FCO) and established on the westerly track for New York, before declaring a general emergency as its crossed French airspace outbound.
![](https://aviationsourcenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AviationSource_NewsLetter_Graphic_2.png)
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Diversion to Paris (CDG)
Maintaining FL300 (30,000 feet) the flight elected to make a diversion to Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG).
![Flight track of United Airlines UA509 from Rome to New York showing diversion to Paris.](https://aviationsourcenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-19-144450-1024x516.jpg)
![Flight track of United Airlines UA509 from Rome to New York showing diversion to Paris.](https://aviationsourcenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-19-144450-1024x516.jpg)
UA509 currently executing holding in the Paris Flight Information Region, and descending from FL300 in the holding pattern.
![](https://aviationsourcenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-19-145227-1024x515.jpg)
![](https://aviationsourcenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-19-145227-1024x515.jpg)
Flight data for today’s transatlantic service UA509 shows that the aircraft made a slightly delayed departure from Rome (FCO) for New York Newark (EWR); showing an actual time of departure of 13:35 CEST against the scheduled depart time of 12:55 CEST.
The flight then established on the north-westerly track, climbing to FL320, before declaring the emergency with squawk code 7700 at 13:30 UTC from cruising altitude 32,000 feet.
Update 14:00 UTC
Flight UA509 is now exiting the holding pattern and tracking direct for CDG, having descended through FL180 (18,000 feet).
![Flight track of United Airlines UA509 from Rome to New York showing diversion to Paris.](https://aviationsourcenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-19-150150-1024x518.jpg)
![Flight track of United Airlines UA509 from Rome to New York showing diversion to Paris.](https://aviationsourcenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-19-150150-1024x518.jpg)
Weather for the flight’s arrival into Paris CDG this afternoon is Visual Meteorological Conditions (VFR) with scattered cloud between 4,000 – 5,000 feet, and visibility 10km or more, with RWY27 active.
![](https://aviationsourcenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-19-150743-1024x447.jpg)
![](https://aviationsourcenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-19-150743-1024x447.jpg)
UA509 is currently established on downwind for RWY27. The nature of the emergency resulting in the decision to divert to CDG is not yet known.
![](https://aviationsourcenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-19-151028-1024x514.jpg)
![](https://aviationsourcenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-19-151028-1024x514.jpg)
Update 14:15 UTC
United flight UA509 now established on final approach for RWY27 CDG.
![](https://aviationsourcenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-19-151656-1024x518.jpg)
![](https://aviationsourcenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-19-151656-1024x518.jpg)
Update 14:25 UTC
United Airlines flight UA509 now landed Paris CDG. The aircraft involved in today’s flight was a Boeing 777-200ER, registration N788UA; a 26-year old aircraft belonging to the US carrier.
Update 18:32 UK time…
Medical emergency @RadarBoxCom https://t.co/OOoMdrTewm
— Flight Emergency (@FlightEmergency) September 19, 2023
@FlightEmergency confirms that the cause of the emergency was due to a medical onboard.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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