A tense moment unfolded this Monday as a United Airlines plane carrying nearly 220 passengers was forced to make an emergency landing at Newark International Airport in New Jersey after declaring a “mayday” mid-flight.
The aircraft, a Boeing 777 that had taken off from Chicago O’Hare International Airport en route to Rome, experienced mechanical issues shortly after departure. While specific details about the malfunction have not been disclosed, the pilot quickly decided to return and requested an emergency landing, triggering standard safety protocols.
Thanks to the swift actions of the flight crew and coordination with air traffic control, the plane landed safely without major incident. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew. Airport authorities praised the pilot’s professionalism and calm response in a high-stress situation.
What does declaring “mayday” mean in aviation?
Declaring “mayday” is an international distress signal used by pilots during serious emergencies that threaten flight safety. Once declared, it grants the aircraft immediate priority for landing from air traffic controllers.
United Airlines has launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the issue and ensure it does not pose a risk in future operations. Meanwhile, the affected passengers have been rebooked on alternative flights to Europe.