United Jet's Engine-Fire Scare at LAX Mirrors Incidents in 2025 and 2019

iSpyVNY - March 2, 2026

 

Los Angeles, CA — A United Airlines Boeing 787‑9 bound for Newark made an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport today after pilots reported a left‑engine fire warning shortly after takeoff, prompting a full evacuation on a taxiway. 

 

United Flight 2127 departed just after 10 a.m. with a reported 256 passengers and 12 crew members aboard. The aircraft returned to LAX at about 11:20 a.m., where fire crews met the jet as smoke was visible near the affected engine. 

 

Passengers evacuated using slides and airstairs and were bused back to the terminal. No injuries were reported, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) and the Federal Aviation Administration. A temporary ground stop was issued during the emergency and later lifted. 

 

"LAFD crews have confirmed United flight #2127 has landed safely and is clear of all passengers and crew members following reported engine problems,” the department said in a statement.

 

Today’s emergency was not the first time a wide‑body jet departing LAX experienced an engine‑related fire in recent years.

 

On July 18, 2025, a Delta Air Lines Boeing 767‑400ER bound for Atlanta returned to LAX after pilots detected signs of a fire in the left engine shortly after departure. The aircraft landed safely with no injuries reported.

 

On November 21, 2019, flames were seen shooting from a Philippine Airlines flight from the right engine of a Boeing 777 shortly after takeoff. The aircraft also returned safely, and no serious injuries were reported among the 347 people reported to be on board. One passenger, Adam Taylor, who had been filming his child during takeoff, inadvertently captured the audible blasts as the engine malfunctioned.

 

Federal investigators are expected to examine the United aircraft’s engine systems, cockpit data and maintenance records. United Airlines said it is cooperating with authorities.