Another Boeing malfunction? United airlines flight loses wheel immediately after takeoff | WATCH

A United Airlines Boeing 757-200 experienced a concerning mechanical failure on Monday, July 8, when a wheel reportedly detached from the aircraft moments after takeoff. An alarming video shared by RadarBox captured the moment the tire came loose from the plane’s undercarriage and plummeted to the ground just seconds after the aircraft departed Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) bound for Denver.

United Airlines later confirmed that the wheel detached at approximately 7 am. Despite the incident, Flight 1001 landed safely in Denver about three hours later, with no injuries reported among the crew members or passengers. A United spokesperson stated that the detached wheel was subsequently located in Los Angeles. The cause of the incident is currently under investigation, and it remains unclear if the falling tyre caused any damage on the ground.

This incident echoes a similar event in March, where a Boeing 777-200 bound for Osaka, Japan, lost a wheel after taking off from San Francisco. The aircraft was diverted back to LAX, landing safely, but the loose tyre caused damage to several vehicles in the airport parking lot.

EXCLUSIVE: Here's the moment that United flight #UA35 lost a wheel during takeoff, captured by CaliPlanes (https://t.co/QPzmrN2j2T) ✈️ https://t.co/JSTzbHuGD2 pic.twitter.com/MdmybGWCqt

— RadarBox (@RadarBoxCom) March 7, 2024

Boeing's Legal Troubles

Boeing has agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud charge related to the two fatal crashes of its 737 Max jetliners, following years of investigations, lawsuits, and whistleblower testimonies that have severely damaged the company's reputation. This decision comes after the U.S. Justice Department accused Boeing of violating a previous agreement that had shielded the company from prosecution for over three years.

In a statement to ABC News, Boeing confirmed, "We can confirm that we have reached an agreement in principle on terms of a resolution with the Justice Department, subject to the memorialization and approval of specific terms." The proposed agreement mandates Boeing to pay the maximum statutory fine and invest at least $455 million in its compliance and safety programs. However, the deal requires the approval of a federal judge to take effect.

This plea deal marks a significant moment in Boeing's ongoing efforts to address the legal and reputational fallout from the 737 Max crashes, as the company seeks to rebuild trust and ensure the safety of its future operations.