United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 returns to service nearly 4 months after runway excursion in Houston

The United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 involved in the runway excursion in Houston in March is now back in service.

Back to business

In early March, a United Airlines (UA) Boeing 737 MAX 8 went off the runway at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The plane had just taken off from Memphis and, as it was about to leave the runway, it ended up on the grass. The plane flipped onto its left wing, but no one was injured.

A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that the captain felt the brakes shake violently before the plane crashed into the grass. During the descent, due to weather conditions, the crew requested to land on Runway 27 and then taxi to the end of the runway. The air traffic controller approved and instructed the crew to maintain speed.

Photo: NTSB

As the plane was about to leave the runway, the brakes were applied and the captain recalls the plane shuddering and eventually landing in the grass. Simple Flying’s detailed coverage of the NTSB report is available below.

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United Airlines captain felt Boeing 737 MAX brakes shake violently before plane skidded off runway

While the first officer told the NTSB he thought the runway was wet, the captain told investigators it was dry.

Flightradar24 data shows that the plane remained in Houston for several months before flying again. Its first flight, which lasted more than two hours, took place on June 23, taking off and landing at IAH. Three days later, the plane flew again for 55 minutes before landing in Houston.

On June 28, the plane was flown to Amarillo, where it remained on the ground until Tuesday, July 2, presumably for painting. Late Tuesday night, the plane returned to Houston, landing a few minutes before 1 a.m. on July 3, hours before its flight to Newark.

The first passenger flight was flight UA1657 to Newark Liberty International Airport. Since then, the aircraft has also operated flights to Boston, Washington, Anchorage and back to Houston.

United Airlines Latest News

United Airlines is at the forefront of innovation in using technology to enhance its passenger experience. The Chicago-based airline was the first U.S. carrier to roll out features with Apple live activities on iPhones (14 or newer), has implemented a rescheduling option in its app when flights are delayed and allows passengers to book overnight stays (if applicable), and unveiled its brand new feature yesterday.

United CEO Scott Kirby shared this update on his social media. When flights are delayed by weather and passengers look out the window at the airport and everything seems fine, it creates confusion and frustration. What passengers rarely realize is that anywhere along the flight path, in the event of bad weather, the airline may be forced to delay a flight if a new path cannot be plotted based on the weather conditions.

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United Airlines Gets Smarter About Weather by Texting Live Radar Maps to Passengers

Passengers will now receive personalized messages explaining weather-related delays and links to view live radar maps in the airline’s mobile app.

In an effort to provide clear information to its passengers, United has begun sending them text messages and emails when their plans change. In the text messages and/or emails, United will provide links to real-time radar maps showing weather along the flight path. The messages are also intended to be educational.