Engine Flames Seen On United Flight Out Of SFO: Witnesses

SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, CA – A United Airlines flight out of San Francisco International Monday afternoon was forced to turn around and head back to the airport after having to shut down one of its four engines, airport officials told Patch. This came after witnesses reported on Twitter seeing flames come from one of the engines.

"Just saw fire come out of an engine of a plane taking off from SFO," Sam Smith tweeted at 12:08 p.m. "A united plane."

Smith also tweeted that the flames were coming out of an engine on the left side and that he heard a "loud bang noise."

Another Twitter user, @djreed, also said he saw fire — but no smoke.

San Francisco International Airport Spokesman Doug Yakel told Patch that the United flight was returning to the airport on Monday afternoon after shutting down one of the plane's engines.

A United Airlines spokeswoman told Patch the flight, number 837, was headed to Narita, Japan with 202 passengers and 15 crew members aboard. United's website shows that flight was expected at the gate in San Francisco at 1:17 p.m.

"They are returning to San Francisco due to a mechanical issue with one of the engines," United Spokeswoman Erin Benson said.

Benson said she did not have information on a possible engine fire.

"We cannot confirm any reports of smoke or fire," she said.

No injuries were reported. Passengers were expected to transfer planes.

The flight tracking website FlightAware showed the path of the flight involved, and it appears as though the pilot turned around near Monterey.

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