Engine Failure Forces United Flight 108 to Declare “Mayday” After Takeoff, Captured in Audio
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A recently released cockpit recording reveals the tense moment United Airlines Flight 108—en route from Washington Dulles to Munich—had to declare a Mayday after its left engine failed shortly after departure on July 25, 2025.
As the Boeing 787 climbed, its engine malfunction triggered the pilot’s urgent broadcast:
“Engine failure, left engine, declaring emergency. Mayday, mayday, mayday.”
Controllers cleared the airspace and instructed the aircraft to return, but the jet was still too heavy to land due to being fully fueled. The pilots responded by circulating at 5,000–6,000 feet while shedding fuel some 10–16 km west of the airport.
After about 30 minutes, the Dreamliner reached a safe landing weight and made a smooth return to Dulles. All 219 passengers and 11 crew exited safely, and no injuries were reported. Emergency crews were on-site, the aircraft was towed, and the flight was terminated. United arranged alternate arrangements for affected travellers.
The released audio underscores the calm, coordinated response of both pilots and ATC, a testament to rigorous training during emergencies.
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United attributes the incident to a mechanical failure, with the FAA investigating further. The aircraft, registered N27901, resumed service three days later, continuing on international routes.
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