United Airlines Flight Evacuated at O'Hare After Engine Issue Aborts Takeoff

CHICAGO – Federal aviation authorities are investigating an incident at Chicago’s O'Hare International Airport in which a United Airlines flight bound for Seattle was forced to abort its takeoff, culminating in an emergency evacuation of all passengers and crew via inflatable slides onto the tarmac on Sunday afternoon.

United Airlines Flight 1425, an Airbus A320 carrying 155 passengers and six crew members, was accelerating for departure at approximately 4:30 PM local time when pilots detected a critical issue with the aircraft’s port-side engine. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the crew immediately executed a rejected takeoff, bringing the plane to a safe stop on the runway.

Emergency Evacuation on the Tarmac

Shortly after the aircraft halted, the flight crew ordered a full emergency evacuation. Live air traffic control recordings captured the pilot calmly declaring an emergency and requesting fire and rescue services to their location. Passengers described a tense but orderly process as they exited the aircraft down the emergency slides.

"We were speeding down the runway, and then there was a sudden, violent braking motion and a loud bang from the left side of the plane," said passenger Maria Velez in an interview with a local news affiliate. "People were obviously scared, but the flight attendants were shouting clear instructions, and we got off quickly."

Mobile phone footage shared widely on social media shows the Airbus A320 stationary on the runway with its yellow emergency slides fully deployed from multiple exits. Emergency vehicles from the Chicago Fire Department surrounded the aircraft as passengers gathered at a safe distance on the airfield.

Airline and Authorities Respond

United Airlines confirmed the incident in a statement released Sunday evening. "United Flight 1425 rejected its takeoff at Chicago O'Hare due to an engine issue," the statement read. "The crew deployed the evacuation slides and all passengers were safely deplaned. We are working to arrange alternative travel for our customers and are fully cooperating with the FAA and NTSB in their investigation."

The Chicago Department of Aviation reported that the incident prompted a temporary closure of the runway, causing minor delays for other flights, but airport operations largely continued without significant disruption. The airport's emergency response teams were praised for their swift and effective actions.

Initial reports from passengers mentioned seeing smoke or flames from the engine, though officials have not yet confirmed a fire. No serious injuries were reported, though a spokesperson for the Chicago Fire Department noted that a few passengers sustained minor scrapes and bruises during the evacuation.

Investigation Underway

The FAA has launched a formal investigation into the incident, which is standard procedure for all emergency evacuations and rejected takeoffs involving potential mechanical failure. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has also been notified and will determine whether to lead a more comprehensive inquiry into the cause of the engine issue.

Investigators will examine the aircraft's maintenance records, flight data recorders (the "black boxes"), and the engine itself to understand the root cause of the failure. Rejected takeoffs are a critical safety maneuver for which pilots are extensively trained, and such incidents, while dramatic, underscore the built-in safety protocols of modern aviation. The successful evacuation highlights the crew's adherence to their emergency training.

Passengers from Flight 1425 were transported back to the terminal, where United provided them with food, accommodation, and rebooking on later flights to Seattle.