A United Airlines flight departing Denver, CO for Boston-Logan International Airport, MA was forced to reject its takeoff on September 30 after smoke and fire was observed beneath the right wing of the aircraft.
United Airlines flight UA329 Denver – Boston
United Airlines flight UA329, operated by a Boeing 737-9 MAX registered N37560, was accelerating on the takeoff roll from Denver International Airport (DEN) RWY 16R, when the tower reported the sighting of fire underneath the aircraft.
The crew conducted a rejected takeoff at high speed while still on the runway, and ground emergency services assets was summoned to respond.
The aircraft was subsequently brought to a stop on the runway and the tower reportedly observed that the fire appeared to be extinguished.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a brief preliminary state following the incident, saying: “Aircraft on departure roll, aborted takeoff due to smoke and fire under right-wing and arff extinguished fire, Denver, CO.”
Aircraft damage
Photographs of the disabled aircraft show that all main tyres on the right-hand gear assembly had blown, and the right-hand main wheel rims had suffered significant abrasion damage. Debris damage and scoring to the aircraft’s lower fuselage can also be seen.
An unconfirmed report states that an engine fire light illuminated on the Boeing 737, though this is yet to be formally verified.
The aircraft in question was Boeing 737-9 MAX, registration N37560; a four-month old narrowbody aircraft belonging to the US carrier United Airlines.
The aircraft was originally delivered to the carrier in 2 June 2023, on delivery from Seattle Boeing Field.
A replacement aircraft was subsequently repositioned to Denver International Airport some five hours later, to carry out the intended flight to Boston-Logan International Airport (BOS).
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