United Airlines Flight Forced To Turn Back After “Unexpected Aircraft Movement”

A United Airlines Boeing 787-8 flight from Lagos to Washington D.C. made an emergency return after what officials called a “technical issue,” prompting an investigation into the cause of the incident.

Key Takeaways

United Airlines flight from Lagos to Washington D.C. returned due to a “technical issue and unexpected aircraft movement.”
38 people were injured, including 6 seriously.
The incident involved a Boeing 787-800 aircraft with 245 passengers and 14 crew members.
United Airlines is collaborating with U.S. and Nigerian aviation authorities to investigate the cause.
The aircraft did not sustain major damage despite the emergency.

Emergency Return and Injuries

On January 23, 2025, United Airlines Flight 613 departed Lagos, Nigeria, at 11:59 p.m., bound for Washington D.C. Shortly after takeoff, the Boeing 787-800 aircraft experienced what the airline described as a “technical issue and an unexpected aircraft movement.” This led to an emergency return to Lagos, with the plane landing safely at 3:22 a.m. on January 24.

The incident resulted in injuries to 38 people on board. Four passengers and two crew members sustained serious injuries, while an additional 27 passengers and five crew members suffered minor injuries. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria confirmed that all 245 passengers, 11 crew members, and three pilots safely disembarked upon landing.

38 people were injured, six of them hospitalized, after a United Airlines flight from Nigeria to Washington, D.C., experienced problems midair, Nigerian officials said. https://t.co/a3UtoWgpnW

— NBC News (@NBCNews) January 26, 2025

Emergency Response and Medical Care

Nigerian authorities were prepared for the flight’s emergency return. The Nigerian airports authority had a medical team and firefighters ready to respond. Those with minor injuries received first aid at the airport and were discharged. Passengers with serious injuries were stabilized and transferred to Duchess hospital in Ikeja for further treatment.

Nigeria’s director of public affairs and consumer protection confirmed the incident and reassured the public that there were no fatalities. The emergency’s exact nature remains unclear, but videos circulating on social media showed the cabin in disarray, with meal trays and food scattered on the floor and some ceiling panels detached.

Investigation and Airline Response

United Airlines is now at the center of an investigation into the cause of this alarming incident. The airline stated that they are working closely with aviation authorities in both the United States and Nigeria to understand what led to the emergency.

The Federal Aviation Administration indicated that information on the incident would come from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and United Airlines. Jeff Guzzetti, a former FAA and NTSB investigator, suggested that the cause could be identified within days by analyzing the flight data recorder and interviewing the crew.

As the investigation unfolds, passengers, aviation experts, and the public await answers about what caused this frightening mid-air incident. The focus now is on ensuring the safety of future flights and preventing similar occurrences. United Airlines’ cooperation with authorities will be crucial in determining the root cause and implementing any necessary safety measures.