LAS VEGAS — Friday, August 28, 2026
A United Airlines flight carrying 183 passengers and crew members was forced to make an emergency landing in Las Vegas after encountering an engine problem while flying at 31,000 feet.
United Flight 1403 had departed Los Angeles International Airport for Newark Liberty International Airport on Thursday when trouble developed in one of the Boeing 757’s engines. The pilots diverted the aircraft to Harry Reid International Airport rather than attempting to continue across the country.
The plane landed safely at approximately 7 a.m. local time. Emergency crews were available as the aircraft arrived, but no injuries were reported.
All 176 passengers and seven crew members exited the aircraft safely after landing.
One passenger described the experience as “terrifying” and reported that the aircraft suffered an engine failure at 31,000 feet. Aviation authorities have so far characterized the incident only as an engine issue and have not confirmed precisely what failed.
United said it was arranging another flight to take the passengers to Newark following the unscheduled landing.
The incident could have ended very differently, but the aircraft’s crew followed emergency procedures and brought the plane down safely. Commercial jets are designed to remain controllable if one engine develops a problem, allowing pilots to divert to a suitable airport rather than continue to their original destination.
What caused the malfunction remains unknown. Investigators will likely examine the engine, maintenance records, cockpit warnings and flight data to determine what prompted the diversion.
The Federal Aviation Administration said it will investigate.
JBizNews Desk | Las Vegas
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