United Airlines Airbus A320 Returns to Bradley Airport After Engine Cover Falls Off

A United Airlines Airbus A320 was forced to return to Windsor Locks Bradley International Airport (BDL) after an engine cover fell off shortly after takeoff. The incident occurred on June 20, 2024, prompting the aircraft to spend approximately half an hour in the air before safely landing back at BDL.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the incident, noting that the flight crew reported an abnormal noise during the flight. The aircraft, registered as N490UA, was operating flight UA325 from BDL to Denver International Airport (DEN).

According to Flightradar24 records, the aircraft took off at 8:02 AM local time and began turning north instead of west towards Denver. The pilots entered a holding pattern northeast and south of BDL to assess the situation. They reported a problem with the number two engine, which was running fine but still necessitated a return to BDL.

Air traffic control (ATC) archives from LiveATC revealed that the pilots did not initially declare an emergency. However, after discovering foreign object debris on the runway, including aircraft parts, the pilots decided to declare an emergency. There were 129 people on board, and the aircraft had more than five hours of fuel, allowing for a safe return without rushing.

The United Airlines spokesperson confirmed that a portion of the engine’s sound-dampening outer liner was found on the runway. Despite the engines operating within normal parameters, the pilots remained cautious, suspecting they might have hit a bird due to the noise heard shortly after V1 speed.

The FAA has initiated an investigation into the incident. The United Airlines Airbus A320 landed back at BDL at 8:47 AM and has not had any scheduled flights since the event. This incident adds to the scrutiny United Airlines has faced in recent months, which had previously led to an FAA audit restricting the airline's expansion.

In a briefing in late May, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker stated that United Airlines had cleared the audit and could resume growth, having already taken delivery of new aircraft to replace retired ones and expand capacity. This incident, however, highlights ongoing challenges in maintaining operational safety.