Cancun, Q.R. — A Saturday morning United Airlines flight that left Cancun bound for Houston made an emergency landing in New Orleans. The plane, which experienced a mechanical issue while over the Gulf of Mexico, made the emergency landing at the Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans.
The United 1832 aircraft, which left Cancun International at 8:45 a.m., reportedly experienced an engine cut while over the Gulf and made the emergency landing in New Orleans around 10:20 Saturday morning.
Pilots were successful in making the landing without incident. No injuries were reported. Reports say contaminants in the fuel created the need for an engine to be cut.
United Airlines released a statement saying, “United flight 1832 from Cancun (CUN) to Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) diverted to New Orleans’ Louis Armstrong International (MSY) after experiencing a mechanical issue. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, landed safely. Upon clearing Customs and Border Protection, the 107 passengers will depart on a new aircraft to IAH scheduled to arrive early this afternoon.”
The following day, a second United Airlines flight also experienced engine failure. Passengers aboard United 328 flying from Denver to Honolulu made an emergency landing, returning to Denver International after the plane’s engine caught fire.
The pilot called in a “mayday” as part of his message to air control as pieces of the engine began to fall from the plane. All 231 passengers and 10 crew landed safely. No injuries were reported.
It was the second United flight in 24 hours to experience engine failure shortly after departure.