United Airlines 777 from Rome to New York declares emergency

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.

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.

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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).

UA509 currently executing holding in the Paris Flight Information Region, and descending from FL300 in the holding pattern.

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).

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.

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.

Update 14:15 UTC

United flight UA509 now established on final approach for RWY27 CDG.

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.