FAA Probe Underway After Boeing 777 Drops Wheel Following Takeoff

United Airlines Flight 35 was leaving San Francisco destined for Osaka, Japan, but was forced to divert to LAX.

Friday, March 08, 2024 at 06:30 PM ET

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The United 777-200 (similar to the one shown here) was destined for Osaka, Japan, but was forced to divert to Los Angeles International Airport. [Photo: AirlineGeeks/Ben Suskind]

Key Takeaways:

A United Airlines Boeing 777-200 lost a wheel during takeoff from San Francisco International Airport (KSFO) while on a flight to Osaka, Japan.
The aircraft safely diverted to Los Angeles (KLAX) and landed without incident, with no injuries reported among the 249 people onboard.
The detached wheel landed in an employee parking lot at KSFO, damaging several unoccupied vehicles.
The FAA is investigating the incident, and United Airlines arranged a new flight for the passengers and will address the damaged property.

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There are fewer things more anxiety producing than accidentally leaving something behind when you fly internationally. When it is a part of the airliner, it goes to a whole new level. That’s what passengers aboard a United Airlines Boeing 777-200 experienced Thursday when their flight out of San Francisco International Airport (KSFO) lost a wheel during takeoff.

The Boeing 777-200 has six tires on each of its two main landing gear struts. The design allows the aircraft to land safely with missing or damaged tires.