A wheel came off a United Airlines aircraft as it was taking off… again.
In this post:
United 757 wheel falls off after takeoff from LAX
This incident happened on Monday, July 8, 2024, and involves United Airlines flight UA1001, scheduled to operate from Los Angeles (LAX) to Denver (DEN). The flight was operated by a 30-year-old Boeing 757-200 with the registration code N14107.
The jet had 181 people onboard, including 174 passengers and seven crew members. The aircraft was scheduled to depart at 7AM local time, and ended up taking off at 7:16AM, from runway 25R.
As soon as the aircraft became airborne, pilots of other aircraft on taxiways reported that they noticed that one of the 757’s wheels flew off as the aircraft rotated. The wheel ended up going quite a distance, and ultimately badly damaged a parked car.
The decision was made for the flight to continue to Denver, rather than return to Los Angeles. That seems sensible enough, since it doesn’t matter where the aircraft lands one wheel “down,” so you might as well get passengers to their destination.
So as the aircraft approached Denver, the pilots declared an emergency, and passengers were told to brace for landing. After a 1hr55min flight, the plane ended up landing on runway 34L. The aircraft vacated the runway on its own, and it then took about 30 minutes for the plane to be towed to the apron.
Below you can see an excellent VASAviation recreation of what happened, including ATC audio.
Below you can see video of the wheel on the loose.
This is the second such incident in a matter of months
If the concept of a United aircraft losing a wheel on takeoff sounds familiar, it’s for good reason. Almost four months ago to the day, a United Boeing 777 departing San Francisco (SFO) lost a wheel in a nearly identical incident. The wheel went “flying” shortly after takeoff, other pilots had to report what happened, and a car was hit.
While aviation incidents happen all the time, it’s pretty rare to see wheels coming off planes. That incident that happened several months ago was one of several things that caused the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to increase oversight of United.
It definitely does seem like United has more safety incidents than other airlines do. I think that partly comes down to the airline having quite an old fleet. Old planes are of course safe, but they’re also more likely to have maintenance issues. At the same time, that can’t be the only explanation, since Delta’s fleet isn’t exactly young, either, yet Delta doesn’t have wheels falling off of planes.
So one wonders what the other factors at play are. United is growing faster than American and Delta, so is maintenance taking a hit? Or is this all just a coincidence?
Bottom line
A United Airlines Boeing 757 lost a wheel after taking off from LAX. The jet continued to its destination, where it landed safely, and was then towed to the gate. Aircraft losing wheels is quite uncommon, but what makes this strange is that United had a similar incident several months ago, causing the FAA to increase oversight of the airline.
What do you make of this United 757 wheel incident?
Cue Kenny Rogers:
"You picked a fine time to leave me, loose wheel."
I am wondering what happens to the owner of the car. Is it handled like a traffic accident and he receives the money for the repairs from UA?
The 757 is the worst plane I've ever flown. They're old and basically held together with duct tape. Just be thankful that it was just a tire, and not the cockpit.
I was told that right after the UA CEO started to bad mouth Boeing, UA started on a mad run of "incidents". You can ask how is this possible, and there IS an answer to support this.
I'm not getting into that, but some on here will know.
That's why when you rotate tires and they're trying to scam you on new lug nuts, just pay them.
A rare chance they are telling the truth.
Question...... Does anyone know if before leaving the gate, do the pilots and the ground crew have a checklist they are required to complete? Or do they kick the tires?
I've become very selective on carrier choice and aircraft choice in the last couple of years. I don't fly United because operationally, I find it prone to long delays, mechanical issues, and frankly, the airline has too many 30+ year old planes on routes that I fly where there are at least 1 and usually 2 other options where that is less of an issue. 30+ year old 757s and 767s continue to fly because production issues are pervasive.
The challenge with aviation safety generally is that incidents are so rare, that they are all statistical anomalies. United had 2 tire incidents this year, that's something like .0005% on a back-of-the-envelope. In any other context that would be construed as a "fluke"
thank you, Ben, for not trying to pin this on Boeing as so many do.
you gotta love cameras catching a wheel rolling across the airport. It is hard to miss for anyone even remotely watching.
This latest incident is, once again, a United problem. Boeing hasn't touched the airplane for decades.
WN has had more pilot-related incidents while UA has had more maintenance with some pilot issues.
And UA is not growing the fastest....
thank you, Ben, for not trying to pin this on Boeing as so many do.
you gotta love cameras catching a wheel rolling across the airport. It is hard to miss for anyone even remotely watching.
This latest incident is, once again, a United problem. Boeing hasn't touched the airplane for decades.
WN has had more pilot-related incidents while UA has had more maintenance with some pilot issues.
And UA is not growing the fastest. DL and UA both grew at the same rate in 2023 and DL is growing the fastest in the 3rd quarter of 2023 (current quarter) of the big 4 and absolute capacity of all US carriers based on published schedules.
Idk if you’re more obsessed with united to delta at this point.
I’m European, I don’t give a crap about united, delta or American, but how on earth is growth relevant?
It isn’t mentioned once in the article. Go ahead and hit me with the “you’re ignorant to the truth and facts”. Hate to break it to you, but no one actually cares about your holiness delta
Tim,
Lying about growth rates doesn't make you look cooler even as off topic as you are.
United grew 17.5% in 2023. Delta grew 16.6%.
In 2022, United capacity was 6.3% larger than Delta. In 2023, United capacity was 7.1% larger.
You can find random quarters where United's fleet delivery schedule is off due to the MAX, but trying to lie about Delta's overall growth relative to United is just that,...
Tim,
Lying about growth rates doesn't make you look cooler even as off topic as you are.
United grew 17.5% in 2023. Delta grew 16.6%.
In 2022, United capacity was 6.3% larger than Delta. In 2023, United capacity was 7.1% larger.
You can find random quarters where United's fleet delivery schedule is off due to the MAX, but trying to lie about Delta's overall growth relative to United is just that, a flat out lie. Delta is getting smaller and smaller relative to United.
And the scheduled fleet deliveries between the two carriers means that trend will only continue as United continues to grow larger than Delta. You can pout in your basement but facts are facts.
no, Delta is not getting smaller either relative to itself or United.
and there is no obsession with DL vs. UA other than to be accurate about facts.
DL and UA have led the industry in absolute growth since covid while some of the ULCCs are growing faster in rate.
And, MAX, in case you missed it, UA is getting nowhere near the number of airplanes it has on order which simply makes its future...
no, Delta is not getting smaller either relative to itself or United.
and there is no obsession with DL vs. UA other than to be accurate about facts.
DL and UA have led the industry in absolute growth since covid while some of the ULCCs are growing faster in rate.
And, MAX, in case you missed it, UA is getting nowhere near the number of airplanes it has on order which simply makes its future growth rate - including in the current quarter - a fantasy.
Airlines.org shows that DL is growing faster than UA and has grown faster.
And UA's fleet is aging at the same rate as everyone else's even as UA's fleet is already the oldest. They will simply have to use a whole lot higher percentage of their fleet for replacement than growth compared to what you and others want to believe.
You have proven over and over again that you invent your own reality when you don't like the one that actually exists.
You mean my reality based off SEC filings from delta and United?
Facts are facts even though you hate when delta itself says it.
That’s actual reality. I don’t think anyone knows where your fantasy land exists except our own mind.
United has hundreds of planes on order and delta and United have fleet ages roughly the same, though United is barely higher in average age. Delta certainly has some orders but nowhere...
You mean my reality based off SEC filings from delta and United?
Facts are facts even though you hate when delta itself says it.
That’s actual reality. I don’t think anyone knows where your fantasy land exists except our own mind.
United has hundreds of planes on order and delta and United have fleet ages roughly the same, though United is barely higher in average age. Delta certainly has some orders but nowhere anywhere close to United.
United has widebodies and narrow bodies on order unrelated to the max and has made clear they’ll be converting to max9 if the max10 isn’t certified. You seem to hate reality but delta is definitely going to continue shrinking in size relative to United just like they did in 2023.
If you’re going to try to comment endlessly on a blog, at least keep up and be relevant.
UA's average fleet age isn't roughly the same, Max. It is older than DL's. and considering that AA - which touts the youngest fleet among the big 4 - is less than 2 years younger than DL's - so even a year matters.
It is precisely when you make up your own facts and downplay easily verifiable facts that you lose every time you argue.
You clearly have a deep-seated need to run around the internet trying to prove me wrong. and it all backfires - on you
Perhaps you can learn to read what I wrote rather than rely on your imagination. I said United’s age was slightly higher than delta.
At the last 10-k
United Mainline was 16.0
Delta Mainline at 14.8
With delta taking far fewer new deliveries in 2024 vs United:
DL deliveries in 2024: 46
UA: 191 but remove the max10 and the number is 111
You can keep lying but facts are facts if you just know how to read an SEC filing
and MAX,
I would suggest that, instead of calling other people liars, you actually read independent data that shows that Delta is leading the big 3 carriers in growth and has been for over a decade.
Airlines.org published two reports in June - one on June 9 and the other on June 12.
For the 3rd quarter of 2024 or July through September, airlines.org - not me - says that DL will grow...
and MAX,
I would suggest that, instead of calling other people liars, you actually read independent data that shows that Delta is leading the big 3 carriers in growth and has been for over a decade.
Airlines.org published two reports in June - one on June 9 and the other on June 12.
For the 3rd quarter of 2024 or July through September, airlines.org - not me - says that DL will grow capacity by 5.4% compared to UA's 5.1%. AA is at 3.7, WN is at 2%. Several small carriers had higher growth rates but much lower absolute growth.
Since 2010, according to airlines.org, DL grew 16.6% compared to 16% for UA, less than 10% for AA and 39% for WN.
Actual facts and data show that DL is not yielding growth to anyone and didn't in the past 15 years.
I suggest you learn how to read a 10-k and stop lying.
United outgrew delta in 2023 and will continue on average over the next ten years. That’s not even a debate.
And before you go off about the MAX10 and United, how about you keep in mind that delta has 100 of their 312 firm aircraft orders dedicated to the max10
107 to the a321neo
United has 176 a321neo on order
I suggest you learn how to read a 10-k and stop lying.
United outgrew delta in 2023 and will continue on average over the next ten years. That’s not even a debate.
And before you go off about the MAX10 and United, how about you keep in mind that delta has 100 of their 312 firm aircraft orders dedicated to the max10
107 to the a321neo
United has 176 a321neo on order
150 787
And also the order book for 354 Max of various variants
You can quit your lying. Delta did shrink relative to United in 2023 and by aircraft order book alone; delta will be smaller, on average, per year than United over the next decade.
At the last 10-k, United had firm commitments for 725 new planes
Delta had 312 and you can add on the 20 a350k to that for 332
Your reality isn’t in facts, tim. It’s in your own mind.
A 10% difference in age is not insignificant.
You simply prove that you don't want to accept actual facts so manipulate them.
And fleet age isn't the issue. Actual growth rates are. UA IS NOT scheduling flights at a faster rate than DL because UA can't get the aircraft that UA wants to receive.
You can argue all you want but UA is not closing the advantage that DL has had. Actual data, not your cherrypicked and manipulated interpretation of it is clear.
Enjoy your day, tim
Get out of the basement
An sec filing is far more reputable than your weird desire to try and change actual data and facts.
You said delta grew at the same rate as United in 2023. That’s wrong
You said delta didn’t shrink relative to United in 2023 but they did
You said United won’t be outgrowing delta over the next few years and that’s plainly...
Enjoy your day, tim
Get out of the basement
An sec filing is far more reputable than your weird desire to try and change actual data and facts.
You said delta grew at the same rate as United in 2023. That’s wrong
You said delta didn’t shrink relative to United in 2023 but they did
You said United won’t be outgrowing delta over the next few years and that’s plainly wrong by any view whatsoever of fleet growth or public statements from United and delta.
Focus on facts and data rather than your weird desires and people may respect your opinion here and there
The very same SEC data that you cite shows that UA's fleet is more than 10% holder than DL's and yet you reject that and harp on your statements despite they being wrong even as you acknowledge that there are and have been periods when DL and UA and other carriers grow at different rates.
DL is growing its capacity more than UA's this quarter and have for the past 13 years according to data...
The very same SEC data that you cite shows that UA's fleet is more than 10% holder than DL's and yet you reject that and harp on your statements despite they being wrong even as you acknowledge that there are and have been periods when DL and UA and other carriers grow at different rates.
DL is growing its capacity more than UA's this quarter and have for the past 13 years according to data that I am simply relaying, not making up.
Hoped-for growth is not reality.
No, I didn't say UA won't be outgrowing DL over the next few years because I simply quoted data for the CURRENT QUARTER which is as far out as schedules are reasonably valid.
The more you try to justify your statements, the more you prove how inept you are at handling the data which you push.
I don't have any desire other than to accurately highlight actual facts and to crush biases.
It’s funny that you try to cite the sec data about fleet age that I wrote here to say I’m ignoring it. I also noted aircraft deliveries in 2024 and United has double the number of new aircraft vs delta even despite the max10 absent that number.
You’re welcome to focus on delta’s history of growth vs United. As per the topic, I was talking about last year, this year (the whole year, not your...
It’s funny that you try to cite the sec data about fleet age that I wrote here to say I’m ignoring it. I also noted aircraft deliveries in 2024 and United has double the number of new aircraft vs delta even despite the max10 absent that number.
You’re welcome to focus on delta’s history of growth vs United. As per the topic, I was talking about last year, this year (the whole year, not your usual data cherry-pick) and the future.
You have no data whatsoever nor have you provided anything relevant to the topic about delta vs United’s growth last year, this year or the next ten
Go troll somewhere else. Your constant lying and purposeful ignorance of reality is annoying
The only troll is you who can't accept actual facts.
UA is talking a great plan but they are not executing their growth plan because they can't get the planes. It isn't hard to understand that counting airplanes that don't exist on UA's property means nothing.
And then to lecture someone about ignoring anything when you not only are ignoring fleet age data that comes right out of those very SEC documents that you want...
The only troll is you who can't accept actual facts.
UA is talking a great plan but they are not executing their growth plan because they can't get the planes. It isn't hard to understand that counting airplanes that don't exist on UA's property means nothing.
And then to lecture someone about ignoring anything when you not only are ignoring fleet age data that comes right out of those very SEC documents that you want to cite for different reasons but ignore when the narrative goes against what you want.
"fleet age that I wrote here to say I’m ignoring it."
If you would go get help and address your compulsive need to try to prove me wrong, the forums would all be more pleasant.
When UA surpasses DL in growth and TURNS IT INTO A PROFIT ADVANTAGE, let us know. UA flies more ASMs than DL and AA but make less revenue and profits than DL.
We don't need a subway in the sky that thrives on counting metrics that matter only to subways. We need a viable, profit leading business.
none of which changes that UA had a 757 that lost a wheel - the 2nd time that has happened in months, as Ben accurately notes.
Oh now we’re talking about profit instead of fleet age and growth?
As always… the Tim Dunn tell when he has nothing else to say: change the subject.
United grew more than delta last year, likely this year (not just this quarter) and has double the new aircraft deliveries vs delta for growth and improving fleet age.
And don’t lecture me about sec fleet age when I’m the one who provided it and cited it,...
Oh now we’re talking about profit instead of fleet age and growth?
As always… the Tim Dunn tell when he has nothing else to say: change the subject.
United grew more than delta last year, likely this year (not just this quarter) and has double the new aircraft deliveries vs delta for growth and improving fleet age.
And don’t lecture me about sec fleet age when I’m the one who provided it and cited it, in particular as it relates to future deliveries and fleet age
Get a life. Your comments are so idiotic and lack any common sense.
What are you even trying desperately to argue now, tim?
That delta outgrew United in 2023? They did not. This year? Tbd but likely not given current FULL YEAR projections.
That delta has a newer fleet as of 1/1/2024? They do and I’m the one who said that and even provided the data to prove that but I also noted that United has double the new aircraft deliveries in 2024 vs delta.
That delta will outgrow United over the next ten years? Good luck proving that. United has more than double the fleet orders vs delta and delta’s fleet order has a very large uncertified max10 for any of their growth. United has more a321 on order than delta has max10
Everyone is well aware of your compulsive need to argue but just move along. You have yet to be right once in all this yet trying to desperately malign others over actual data usage. But the absolute stupidity of you trying to mention the sec data I cited as a reason I don’t believe in reality.
Go back to your basement
no one changed the subject.
You have spent post after post arguing against verifiable data. Delta operates a larger mainline fleet, has grown more, and is growing more based on the next 3 months - which is as far out as reality looks.
You continue to lie about what I said so you can argue even while denying verifiable data
You are pathological.
none of which changes that UA had a wheel fall off an airplane for the 2nd time in months.
And again
Thanks for admitting that you couldn’t defend a single thing you said. Name one where you were right. Any one can see you couldn’t name anything where you were right.
Everyone can see that I posted data and facts from sec filings
While you posted nothing and cited nothing except what I posted
2023 growth
Future growth
Likely future fleet age
But again. Name a single thing...
And again
Thanks for admitting that you couldn’t defend a single thing you said. Name one where you were right. Any one can see you couldn’t name anything where you were right.
Everyone can see that I posted data and facts from sec filings
While you posted nothing and cited nothing except what I posted
2023 growth
Future growth
Likely future fleet age
But again. Name a single thing I actually said that was incorrect
Your lies are on this comment section for all to see because you are a pathological liar that can’t admit truth and actual data due to a mental illness
Go back to your basement, troll.
you want desperately to post what you want without having any intelligent life to challenge you.
Not happening.
You have a pathological inability to accept the truth and it is obvious to everyone.
DL has grown faster than UA for more than a decade and continues to grow faster than UA.
You cling to vaporware orders that Boeing can't deliver and can't understand that UA is in the exact same place that dozens of airlines...
you want desperately to post what you want without having any intelligent life to challenge you.
Not happening.
You have a pathological inability to accept the truth and it is obvious to everyone.
DL has grown faster than UA for more than a decade and continues to grow faster than UA.
You cling to vaporware orders that Boeing can't deliver and can't understand that UA is in the exact same place that dozens of airlines around the world are facing because of Boeing's incompetence.
The growth that UA thinks will happen will simply not come. DL didn't develop its strategies based on a supplier that everyone knew more than a decade would not deliver.
And again. Topic was and still is 2023, current growth and future growth. Your lame attempt to change the topic after realizing you’re wrong is just that, lame
And per Boeing, their current issues are with the max, not the 787. And delta has a full 1/3 of their order book tied up with the Max10 and has not said anything about changing to the max9.
United is not the same; they have more...
And again. Topic was and still is 2023, current growth and future growth. Your lame attempt to change the topic after realizing you’re wrong is just that, lame
And per Boeing, their current issues are with the max, not the 787. And delta has a full 1/3 of their order book tied up with the Max10 and has not said anything about changing to the max9.
United is not the same; they have more a321neo on order than delta, 150 787, a350, and a max10 order that they’ve clearly said they’ll switch to the certified max9, if needed.
Stick to facts when you know you’re wrong or just apologize for being wrong, tim. It’s that simple.
You can castigate others and me as much as you’d like but it doesn’t change the obvious here that you know you’re wrong and haven’t presented any data whatsoever to contradict actual 2023 growth, 2024 projections or the order books of delta and united (both of which have the max10 issue but that only hobbles delta enormously since United’s order book is far bigger than just the max10) and United’s order book is more than twice the size of delta’s order book.
“ DL didn't develop its strategies based on a supplier that everyone knew more than a decade would not deliver.”
This alone really does show your incompetence since delta has 100 max10 on order
A Full 1/3 of the delta order book is max10
But sure…
If we take out the max10 from
Future deliveries
Delta has 232 planes on order with no announced plans for the max10 issue
United has...
“ DL didn't develop its strategies based on a supplier that everyone knew more than a decade would not deliver.”
This alone really does show your incompetence since delta has 100 max10 on order
A Full 1/3 of the delta order book is max10
But sure…
If we take out the max10 from
Future deliveries
Delta has 232 planes on order with no announced plans for the max10 issue
United has 448 ex-max10 but they also have already announced how they would convert the 277 max10 orders
and UA has an older narrowbody fleet and you still can't grasp that all the orders in the world don't matter if Boeing can't deliver.
Your fundamental issue is that you can't accept that Scott Kirby's rash and impulsive decision-making has been bested by Delta's even-handed and long-term strategizing and that has been true for decades including in the LGA-DCA slot swap which Scott Kirby said at US that US couldn't use all of those...
and UA has an older narrowbody fleet and you still can't grasp that all the orders in the world don't matter if Boeing can't deliver.
Your fundamental issue is that you can't accept that Scott Kirby's rash and impulsive decision-making has been bested by Delta's even-handed and long-term strategizing and that has been true for decades including in the LGA-DCA slot swap which Scott Kirby said at US that US couldn't use all of those slots - and now AA can't build out NYC all the way to now where DL has outstrategized UA in Latin America wiht the Latam JV and in E. Asia with the Korean JV, both of which are far larger than UA has in those regions.
Save your chest thumping, Max. DL runs a better airline and a better business and anyone that remotely looks at the industry from the outside knows it.
And yet again, tim
Zero ability to contradict any facts from sec filings I cited. You cited none
From United’s bigger a321 order vs delta or vastly larger order vs delta overall
It’s cute when you love to enforce your stupidity
But it’s only that
You’re an idiot with no facts to back yourself up whatsoever
Back to your mom’s basement, LOSER
Stop posting if you can’t back up your...
And yet again, tim
Zero ability to contradict any facts from sec filings I cited. You cited none
From United’s bigger a321 order vs delta or vastly larger order vs delta overall
It’s cute when you love to enforce your stupidity
But it’s only that
You’re an idiot with no facts to back yourself up whatsoever
Back to your mom’s basement, LOSER
Stop posting if you can’t back up your own nonsense
Even your own reply is stupid with, again, nothing to disprove your own stupidity above
Grow up, tim
You need a life outside of the company that fired you, delta
You’re a loser at delta HQ and here
“ Your fundamental issue is that you can't accept that Scott Kirby's rash and impulsive decision-making”
You’re so stupid lol
Nothing to do with the topic but so on brand for you to bring up something unrelated when you know you’re defeated lol
Such an idiot
Past a certain point the blame isn’t so much on Boeing as it is on United Airlines maintenance, methinks
Plus let’s bear in mind these planes are getting old, like America’s presidential contenders.
Most importantly, it's a BOEING aircraft. It's common wisdom by that parts of their aircraft find their own way to the ground...
True that. Boeing is not having a Goodyear.
yeah...time to switch to Michelins; they tend not to detach on takeoff rolls!