In a bizarre incident, an emergency evacuation slide from a United Airlines plane fell off and landed in a residential neighborhood near O'Hare International Airport in Chicago on July 17. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in connection with the incident, but it has raised concerns about aircraft safety and maintenance protocols.
The incident came to light when maintenance workers at O'Hare International Airport discovered that the slide was missing from a United Airlines Boeing 767 shortly after it arrived from Switzerland. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was promptly notified, and an investigation was initiated to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Pictures captured by NBC Chicago showed officials removing what appeared to be a large section of plastic-like material from a backyard where the slide had landed. The precise location of the neighborhood was not disclosed.
United Airlines released a statement acknowledging the incident and expressing their commitment to understanding what transpired.
"We immediately contacted the FAA and are working with our team to better understand the circumstances around this matter," the statement read.
The airline assured that the flight from Zurich had landed safely with 155 passengers and 10 crew members on board.
A source familiar with the situation highlighted that the emergency evacuation slide is typically located in a compartment near the wing and exit door of the aircraft. The slide does not require the door to be opened for it to detach. In this case, the compartment door was open upon landing, possibly contributing to the slide's separation.
The FAA, responsible for overseeing aviation safety, stated that it is actively investigating the incident. This includes examining the maintenance procedures and protocols followed by United Airlines and ensuring that such incidents do not recur in the future.
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