United 787-8 Returns to Washington After Engine Failure
A United Airlines Boeing 787-8 returned to Washington Dulles after suffering an engine failure after departure on 25 July 2025.
United Airlines flight UA108, operated by a Boeing 787-8, had conducted a departure from runway 30 Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
The aircraft was operating a scheduled service bound for Munich Airport (MUC).
United Airlines UA108 Washington-Munich
According to the Aviation Herald, flight crew were given a clearance by ATC to climb initially to 10,000 feet after departure.
Flight crew subsequently terminated the climb at 5000 feet, whereupon ATC queried flight crew, and confirmed clearance to 10,000 feet.
The United flight crew subsequently reported experiencing a failure of the aircraft’s left-hand engine, and declared an emergency.
The aircraft was then positioned for an approach to runway 19C Washington Dulles. The return approach was then aborted by flight crew. A further request was then made to carry out a fuel dump procedure in order to make the return landing.
Following a brief period to facilitate fuel dumping, the aircraft was then repositioned for an approach to runway 19C. The aircraft was able to land without further incident, approximately one hour after the flight’s initial departure.
Flight Details
Flight data shows that flight UA108 had made a delayed departure from Washington Dulles at 7:59 PM local time on 25 July. Scheduled departure time for the service was listed as 5:40 PM local time.
Following takeoff, the climb was terminated at 5000 feet and a direct return was made to the departure airport.
The subsequent fuel dumping procedure was then carried out at 6000 feet, before the flight then returned to land.
The aircraft conducting the UA108 service to Munich was a Boeing 787-8, registered N27901. This is a 12.6 year old widebody aircraft belonging to the carrier United Airlines.
The aircraft has been in operational service with the airline since its initial delivery from the factory in December 2012.
