In a nerve-wracking incident on Monday, passengers aboard United Airlines Flight 1001 experienced an unexpected turn of events when their aircraft shed a wheel during takeoff from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Despite the alarming start, the Boeing 757-200 completed its journey to Denver without further incident.



The flight, carrying 174 passengers and seven crew members, encountered the unusual situation as it departed LAX. One of the wheels from the rear landing gear detached during the crucial takeoff phase. Remarkably, the skilled pilots managed to navigate the aircraft safely to its destination, touching down at Denver International Airport (DIA) shortly before 11 AM local time.


United Airlines officials have confirmed that all individuals on board emerged unscathed from the ordeal. The airline has promptly initiated a thorough investigation to determine the root cause of the wheel detachment. Meanwhile, ground crews at LAX have successfully located and retrieved the errant wheel.


This event bears an unsettling resemblance to a March incident involving another United Airlines aircraft. In that case, a Boeing 777 lost a tire while taking off from San Francisco International Airport. The detached tire caused considerable damage on the ground, impacting several vehicles including one car that was severely crushed.


As the investigation unfolds, questions arise about maintenance procedures and the frequency of such occurrences in commercial aviation.