Whether it’s a sputtering engine, a cable fire, or a wasp in the cockpit, mental preparedness can help reduce the horror of an unscheduled landing. Pilots just need to be informed of their emergency choices.

Mental preparation for an emergency landing should begin before flight. An “emergency briefing” is an excellent way to get ready for the unlikely case of an emergency. This is the only method to ensure that all essential emergency procedures are carried out efficiently. The procedures suggested in the flight handbook for the aircraft type, the number of passengers on board, and the weather conditions at the airfield and along the route determine the contents of an emergency briefing. Simply described, a pre-takeoff emergency briefing consists of mentally reviewing the possible choices for dealing with a specific circumstance. If a United Airlines flight emergency landing​ strikes, there is no need to spend too much time deciding what to do; instead, simply follow one of the previously stated scenarios.

Recent emergency landings involving United Airlines flights.

United Airlines has been involved in several recent emergency landings, demonstrating the company’s dedication to passenger safety in the face of unanticipated events. Below is a breakdown of these episodes and their outcomes:

1. United Airlines Flight UA770 Emergency Diversion (May 28, 2025)

United Airlines Flight UA770 emergency diversion, a regular flight from Barcelona to Chicago, took off under bright skies at 2:30 PM CEST. After around 90 minutes of calm flying, the flight crew discovered a major issue and decided to divert the aircraft to London Heathrow, one of Europe’s most emergency-prepared airports.

The cause of the diversion was a pressurization malfunction found during the flight.

• Pilot’s Decision: The crew decided to divert to London Heathrow for the passengers’ safety.
• Time of incident: 90 minutes into the trip.

Landing and Safety Measures:

Landing and safety measures at the airport, London Heathrow Airport, were chosen due to its outstanding emergency response facilities.

• Landing Time: At 4:55 PM BST, the aircraft safely landed on Runway 27R.
• Emergency Response: As a precaution, emergency vehicles were kept on standby.
• Outcome: The airplane landed safely, and no passengers were hurt.

Passenger and Crew Welfare: 

• Passenger Safety: There were no injuries or health problems recorded among passengers.
• Smooth Execution: Despite the dangerous nature of the pressurization defect, the diversion was carried out with precision and caution.

2. Emergency Return to Lagos: Flight 613 (January 23, 2025).

On January 23, 2025, United Airlines Flight 613 from Lagos to Washington, D.C. encountered an abrupt and unexpected mid-air fall. The precipitous descent caused the airplane crew to undertake a quick emergency return to Lagos.

Injuries Reported:

• Four passengers and two crew members suffered significant injuries.
• Other passengers reported minor injuries.

Cause:

• The actual reason for the mishap is still being investigated by aviation authorities.
• United Airlines underlined that the landing was completed safely.

3. Severe Turbulence Causes Diversion: United Express Flight 5690 (March 2, 2025)

On March 2, 2025, United Express Flight 5690, operated by SkyWest, was en route from Springfield, Missouri, to Houston when it experienced severe turbulence, forcing the crew to make an emergency detour to Waco, Texas.

Injury and Care:

• Five passengers were hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries.
• Following quick medical attention, the remaining passengers were rebooked on different flights.

Location of Diversion:

• The airplane made an emergency landing at Waco Regional Airport to ensure the safety of its passengers.

4. Engine Fire and Quick Return on Flight 2325 (April 17, 2025)

On April 17, 2025, United Airlines Flight 2325, traveling from Denver, experienced an engine fire shortly after takeoff, which was purportedly caused by a rabbit being absorbed by the turbine. The team responded quickly, commencing an urgent return to Denver.

Fire and Mechanical Failure:

• The engine backfired frequently, exacerbating the issue.
• The fast action of the aircraft crew enabled a safe return to the airport.

No injuries:

• Fortunately, no injuries were recorded during this frightening incident.

5. Engine Rollback in Turbulent Weather: Flight UA 1736 (June 12, 2025)

On June 12, 2025, United Airlines Flight UA1736, a Boeing 777 traveling from Denver to Kahului, Hawaii, encountered a significant problem with its right engine, which rolled back shortly after departure. Despite the deteriorating weather, the crew declared an emergency and returned safely to Denver.

Airplane Status:

The flight encountered a rollback of the right engine, compromising the flight’s ability to operate safely.

• Successful return:

Despite the tough conditions, the aircraft crew made a successful emergency landing.

• Passenger Safety:

There were no injuries reported on board.

Each aeroplane is distinctive.

During cruise flight, a clever autopilot controls each aircraft properly, and there is little that can go wrong. The bad news is that you have to land somewhere, and each aircraft is unique. The amateur pilot used a commercial aircraft as an example, namely the Boeing hundreds of passengers. It was unsurprising that pilots would choose this type of aircraft, considering the Palne is one of the world’s best-selling passenger aircraft. Overall, the recommendations should apply to all big, contemporary commercial aircraft.

How to land a Plane in an emergency landing with hundreds of passengers?

Most of us will probably never be in the humiliating position of having to land an aeroplane in an emergency, let alone perform an emergency landing. Nonetheless, this article about “United Airlines flight emergency landing” is likely one of the most basic and informative for anyone who wants to know how it’s done. The Golden Rule is fairly simple: First, you must familiarise yourself with the aircraft’s communication system and fasten the pilot headset. Then you push the speak button, which instantly contacts air traffic control. Anyone who has done this has likely already accomplished one of the most crucial steps towards safely landing the aircraft and conducting an emergency landing. The ground control professionals will instantly summon a pilot to help, who will then provide additional directions to the layman in the cockpit.

Whoever made contact will now examine the instruments to verify if the aircraft is still on route. During the descent, the speed should be below 250 knots. The maximum speed for the approach should be decreased to 140 knots. During this descent, the flaps must be extended to 30 to 40 degrees. Morgan even illustrates what the runway should look like as it arrives in front of you, ensuring that the approach is not too high or too low. The image depicts the runway shape required for the proper approach angle.

United Airlines flight emergency landing: Safety Measures

By behaving appropriately, both preventively and reactively, you can improve your chances of survival in the case of an emergency landing or plane accident.

These suggestions for behaving in this setting are hardly rocket science. Even and especially regular fliers should take a few minutes to read this. From Our Guider’s perspective, the Golden 10 suggestions for conduct on a flight are the following:

• Read the safety information leaflet carefully, which is normally found in the seat pocket in front of you, and pay close attention to the safety instructions provided by the cabin staff before takeoff.
• Determine the position of the emergency exits by counting the number of rows of seats between you and the nearest emergency exit. This will assist you in locating the emergency escape even when the lights are out or sight is hindered by heavy smoke. If required, glance behind you; the nearest feasible emergency escape may be located there.
• Statistically, takeoff and landing are the most dangerous parts of a flight. According to accident data, well over three-quarters of all plane crashes occur within the first five minutes after takeoff or in the last ten minutes before landing. Be very careful during this era. Avoid listening to music or reading newspapers, and keep an eye out for emergency exits and learn their routes.
• Always buckle up while in your seat (even if you’re sleeping). This guarantees that you remain safely in your seat during severe turbulence and do not mistakenly “fly” about the cabin.
• When feasible, wear light, comfortable clothing and avoid combustible apparel. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the subsequent fire, rather than crash-related injuries, accounts for almost three-quarters of all fatalities following a plane accident.
• If there is a rapid drop of cabin pressure, you will pass unconscious within about 15 seconds. As a result, you should always put on your oxygen mask first before assisting others.
• Immediately before the plane crashes or makes an emergency landing, follow the cabin crew’s instructions and assume the “brace position.”
• The first 90 seconds following a plane accident (or emergency landing) are critical. Leave the plane as soon as possible, leaving your bags, luggage, and other valuables in the plane.
• In an emergency, you should always stay cool, act responsibly, and follow the directions of the flight crew who have been educated for such situations.
• Always remember to defend yourself and get to safety first, before assisting other passengers.

Is it a safe landing or an emergency landing?

But what occurs during an emergency landing? Anyone who has ever flown is familiar with the standard safety instructions before takeoff and, in theory, knows what to do if something goes wrong during the flight: fasten your seatbelt, stay calm, put on the oxygen masks that fall, help yourself first and then others, keep vomit bags in the overhead compartment and the life jacket is usually under the seat. However, until you’ve been through an emergency previously, you don’t know precisely what will happen. Because each emergency landing varies.

Compensation for emergency landings is not assured.

Passengers are not always entitled to compensation in the case of an emergency landing.  “If an aircraft arrives at its final destination with a delay of at least three hours, or if the flight is cancelled entirely, the Air Passenger Rights Regulation applies.”  This also includes delays caused by emergency landings.  The important aspect here, however, is the reason why the plane had to make an emergency landing:  Airlines are required to pay compensation for delays and flight cancellations unless they can identify unusual circumstances as the reason and therefore be exempt from payment, according to the study.

Is an emergency landing considered an unusual circumstance?

An unusual situation arises when both of the following requirements are satisfied. The evaluation is based on the airline’s perspective:

• Unusual: This scenario must be very unusual. This is not true, for example, if someone hostile at boarding continues to be disruptive on the aircraft.
• Uncontrollable: The interruption must be beyond the airline’s control. This involves taking all possible precautions to prevent interruptions in aircraft operations. If, for example, an emergency landing is required due to inadequate aircraft maintenance, the airline is responsible for the emergency landing.

The examples below might help you determine if an emergency landing is an unusual occurrence. In the following instances, an emergency landing is an uncommon circumstance:

• Hostile passenger: If an emergency landing is required owing to a hostile passenger who did not demonstrate any unusual behaviour before departure, this is considered an extreme case.
• Technical: An emergency landing caused by a technically undetected fault is considered an unusual situation.
• Severe weather: Thunderstorms may develop unexpectedly and rapidly. If this occurs and compels an aeroplane to land, it is deemed an unusual occurrence.
• War/Terrorism: If an unexpected event, such as a war or terrorist strike, requires an aeroplane to make an emergency landing, this is considered an unusual occurrence.

However, in the following scenarios, no special conditions exist:

• Birth: If an emergency landing is required owing to the birth of a child, this is generally not considered an uncommon event. This is because it is well acknowledged that birthing is uncontrolled. As a result, if an airline accommodates people due to give birth, the company has control over the situation.
• Inadequate inspection: If an emergency landing is required owing to an inadequate examination of the aircraft, it is not considered an uncommon event.

Drunk passenger: If a person is considerably inebriated upon boarding and subsequently acts so violently throughout the flight that an emergency landing is required, this does not constitute an extreme occurrence.