Recently, a United Airlines jet encountered a concerning incident at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. The captain reported that the brakes felt less effective than usual and the plane experienced violent shaking in the brake pedals just before the Boeing 737 Max slid off a taxiway. This unsettling event was detailed in a preliminary report released by the National Transportation Safety Board.
As the pilots descended through clouds and caught sight of the runway, uncertainty loomed regarding the ground conditions. While the captain perceived the runway as dry, the co-pilot had a different perspective, believing it appeared wet. The captain intended to decelerate gradually upon landing, but as the plane approached the end of the runway, it veered onto a taxiway.
Tragically, the aircraft sustained significant damage during the incident, with the left main landing gear breaking off as it rolled into a grassy area at a speed of 25 mph (40 kph) and collided with a concrete structure. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported among the passengers or crew members on board, as confirmed by the NTSB.
While the preliminary report did not offer a definitive cause for the March 8 accident, it is important to note that the NTSB typically takes an extended period, often a year or more, to conduct a thorough investigation and reach conclusions.
This incident is part of a series of events involving United Airlines planes that prompted the airline's chief executive to reassure passengers about the safety measures in place. The airline remains committed to ensuring the well-being and security of all individuals traveling on their flights.
