Federal Aviation Administration Orders Investigation of Boeing 737 Over Oxygen Mask Issue
A wheel fell off a Boeing aircraft that took off from Los Angeles (LA) airport in the United States. This is already the second such incident this year.
A wheel fell off during takeoff from a Boeing aircraft operated by United Airlines. [Photo by Yonhap AP]
According to AFP and other foreign media on the 8th (local time), a Boeing 757-200 passenger plane operated by United Airlines experienced a wheel detachment accident after taking off from the LA airport runway that day. It was confirmed that the aircraft safely arrived at its destination, Denver Airport, after the incident.
The aircraft was carrying 174 passengers and 7 crew members, and AFP reported that there were no injuries.
United Airlines stated in a press release, "The problematic wheel was recovered in LA, and we are currently investigating the cause of the accident."
This is the second time a United Airlines Boeing passenger plane has lost a wheel.
Earlier in March, a United Airlines Boeing 777-200 passenger plane that took off from San Francisco Airport also lost a wheel shortly after takeoff. The aircraft diverted to LA instead of its original destination, Osaka, Japan, and made an emergency landing.
Facing increasing pressure from U.S. authorities due to recent safety issues, Boeing has also received an additional investigation order from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding oxygen mask problems.
On the 8th, the FAA ordered an investigation into Boeing 737 aircraft, warning that passenger oxygen masks may not function properly in emergencies.
This action was taken following reports that passenger oxygen generators in this aircraft model had become dislodged from their proper positions. The order affects approximately 2,600 Boeing 737 aircraft currently registered in the United States.
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