Afp
Updated Friday, March 8, 2024-10:44
Q&A Alert with the Boeing 737 Max 9: Is it safe to fly in one?
What companies use this plane?
A
Boeing 777
plane bound for
Japan
had to make an
emergency landing
shortly after takeoff on Thursday after a wheel came off and fell into an airport parking lot.
A video posted
online
shows the wheel coming off seconds after the
United Airlines
plane took off from San Francisco International Airport.
The wheel bounced into a parking lot used by airport employees, local outlet KRON4 reported, and airport officials said several cars were damaged.
United Airlines reported that there were
249 people aboard the plane
bound for Osaka.
Boeing
has faced a series of quality control problems, most recently a frightening incident in January, when
a panel of a Boeing 737 Max 9
became detached from the fuselage after the plane took off in Portland, Oregon.
The Boeing 777 has six wheels on each of its main landing struts and is designed to land safely if some are missing or damaged, United said.
The flight was diverted to Los Angeles, where it landed safely.
Passengers were expected to be on their way again later Thursday, the airline said.