Dozens Injured on Flight Bound for D.C.

A United Airlines Boeing 787-8 flight from Lagos to Washington D.C. made an emergency landing after an incident that injured dozens of passengers and crew members.

Key Takeaways

A United Airlines flight from Lagos to Washington D.C. returned due to a “technical issue and unexpected aircraft movement.”
38 people were injured, including 6 with serious injuries.
The flight carried 245 passengers and 14 crew members.
United Airlines is collaborating with US and Nigerian aviation authorities to investigate the cause.

Emergency Return to Lagos

On January 23, 2025, a United Airlines Boeing 787-800 aircraft departed Lagos, Nigeria at 11:59 p.m., bound for Washington D.C. Shortly after takeoff, the flight encountered what the airline described as a “technical issue and an unexpected aircraft movement.” This necessitated an emergency return to Lagos, where the plane landed safely at 3:22 a.m. on January 24.

The incident resulted in injuries to 38 individuals on board, including passengers and crew members. Of these, six sustained serious injuries, while 32 others suffered minor injuries. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria confirmed that all 245 passengers, 11 crew members, and three pilots safely disembarked upon landing.

United Airlines says 'technical issue' led to dozens injured on flight from Nigeria to DC https://t.co/6T4cLe0qmq

— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) January 27, 2025

Emergency Response and Medical Care

Nigerian authorities were well-prepared for the emergency situation. The Nigerian airports authority had a medical team and firefighters ready for the flight’s return. “The medical team were in direct communication with the pilot prior to the aircraft’s landing in Lagos,” stated the Nigerian airports authority.

Upon landing, those with minor injuries received first aid and were subsequently discharged. The six individuals with serious injuries were stabilized and transferred to Duchess hospital in Ikeja for further treatment. Nigeria’s director of public affairs and consumer protection reassured the public that there were no fatalities resulting from the incident.

Investigation Underway

United Airlines is actively collaborating with aviation authorities in both the United States and Nigeria to investigate the cause of the incident. The Federal Aviation Administration indicated that information on the incident would come from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and United Airlines.

Jeff Guzzetti, a former FAA and NTSB investigator, stated that the cause could be identified within days by analyzing the flight data recorder and interviewing the crew. The aircraft did not sustain major damage and was in flight for 3 hours and 36 minutes before returning to Lagos.

Similar Incidents and Industry Concerns

This incident comes on the heels of a similar occurrence involving an Etihad Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in Australia. Such events have raised concerns within the aviation industry about the safety and reliability of certain aircraft models. As investigations continue, airlines and manufacturers will likely be under increased scrutiny to ensure the highest safety standards are maintained for all flights.