Two United Airlines Flights Make Emergency Landing Due to In-Flight Alerts on Boeing 777s Travel From Newark to Los Angeles and From Kona to Denver: New Update Travelers Need to Know

Published on April 29, 2025

United Airlines experienced two separate in-flight emergencies involving Boeing 777-200 aircraft on Monday, prompting emergency landings on opposite coasts of the United States. Both aircraft landed safely, and no injuries were reported among passengers or crew. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched investigations into both incidents, underscoring the critical importance of in-flight safety protocols and aircraft monitoring systems.

Newark to Los Angeles Flight Forced to Turn Back Midway

The first incident occurred around midday on April 28 when United Airlines flight UA1321 departed from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), en route to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Approximately 45 minutes after takeoff, the flight crew identified a mechanical issue and decided to return to Newark as a precaution.

The Boeing 777-200, carrying 362 passengers and 10 crew members, was observed circling above parts of New Jersey for nearly an hour as the flight crew worked with air traffic control to manage the return. The aircraft touched down safely at Newark at approximately 1:30 p.m. local time. Emergency response teams were on standby, but their intervention was not required.

United Airlines swiftly coordinated a replacement aircraft to resume the journey. Affected passengers were accommodated on the substitute flight to Los Angeles later the same afternoon.

While United did not elaborate on the specific nature of the mechanical fault, the airline confirmed that the aircraft returned out of “an abundance of caution.” The aircraft was removed from service for inspection and maintenance.

Hawaii to Denver Flight Diverts to San Francisco Due to Cargo Door Warning

Hours earlier, another United flight experienced a technical issue on a different route. Flight UA1731, operating from Kona International Airport (KOA) in Hawaii to Denver International Airport (DEN), diverted to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) after cockpit instruments alerted the crew to a possible issue with one of the cargo doors.

The Boeing 777-200 was carrying 360 passengers and 10 crew members at the time. Upon receiving the warning, the flight crew initiated a diversion and coordinated with air traffic control to land safely at SFO at around 3:45 a.m. local time.

After a thorough inspection on the ground, maintenance teams determined the cargo door warning was the result of a malfunctioning sensor rather than an actual security or mechanical breach. Nonetheless, United took the precaution of grounding the aircraft for further examination and provided another aircraft to continue the passengers’ journey to Denver.

FAA Investigations Underway

Both incidents have drawn the attention of the Federal Aviation Administration, which is conducting separate investigations to determine the root causes. The agency has not released detailed findings but confirmed that neither aircraft sustained damage and that no emergency evacuations were necessary.

Investigators will examine the systems onboard each aircraft, focusing particularly on the warning and alert systems that prompted the crew decisions to divert or return. Mechanical issues discovered during flight can be caused by anything from faulty sensors to genuine mechanical failures, and regulatory authorities are tasked with identifying the exact nature of each issue to determine whether broader safety directives are needed.

Past Incident Raises Additional Questions

The April 28 events echo a similar incident in March 2024, when a United Airlines Boeing 777-300ER operating as flight UA830 was forced to return to Sydney shortly after takeoff due to a hydraulic system malfunction. The flight, bound for San Francisco, landed safely back at Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport with 167 passengers onboard. That incident also prompted a temporary grounding and maintenance checks, though no injuries were reported.

Safety Measures and Protocols

Despite the disruptions, both incidents illustrate the importance of responsive and well-rehearsed safety protocols in modern aviation. In both cases, flight crews acted promptly and decisively, ensuring the well-being of everyone on board. United Airlines continues to cooperate fully with the FAA and emphasized its commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards across its fleet.