Traffic & Transit
United Flight 'Slammed' Brakes At 130 MPH Before Takeoff
A United passenger from Phoenix to Newark, N.J. said the pilot told passengers they were nearly airborne when they had to abort.
PHOENIX, AZ — A United flight screeched to a halt Friday at Phoenix's Sky Harbor Airport due to potential brake issues, according to Fox10. The pilot of United Flight 1600 "slammed on the brakes," one passenger said, according to Fox10. One passenger said the pilot told them they were nearly airborne.
The flight began its take off from Phoenix to Newark, N.J., and reached a speed of 130 mph before the pilot "stood on the brakes," said a passenger who identifies himself as John Pentecost on Twitter.
"I thought for sure we'd skid off the runway," Pentecost said. He speculated the plane blew a tire, because he noticed it was "sitting lopsided."
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The Newark Airport website says the plane was a Boeing 737.
Warning light forced us to abort. We were nearly airborne & pilot said we were doing 130mph when he stood on the brakes. I thought for sure we’d skid off the runway. Plane sitting lopsided now... must have blown a tire. #UA1600
— John Pentecost (@HeyJohnP) June 29, 2018
Fox10 obtained a statement from the airport saying “Phoenix Fire responded, per standard procedure," and didn't report any injuries. It also said other flights have not been affected.
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United said it was a "mechanical issue" that caused the pilot to abort. The plane returned to the gate and United is working to get passengers to Newark "as quickly as possible," Fox10 reports.
Article image Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
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