A United Airlines jet bound for Mexico had to turn around and make an emergency landing back at SFO Thursday morning after blowing a tire during takeoff, according to the FAA.
The incident happened sometime around 11 am Thursday, with the Boeing 737-800 having a burst tire and making a U-turn over Monterey County, landing back at SFO at 11:45 am. This was United Airlines Flight 1189, bound for Los Cabos International Airport in Mexico.
The plane had 165 passengers and eight crew members onboard, and there were no injuries.
United Airlines issued a statement explaining the situation, saying "Customers deplaned via airstairs on the tarmac and were bused to the terminal. We've arranged for a different aircraft to take them to Los Cabos later this afternoon."
NBC Bay Area had footage of the deplaning process.
The FAA is reportedly investigating the situation.
After a spate of minor incidents involving United jets at SFO several years ago, the number of these incidents has been fewer, and less frequent, in the past year.
In 2025, there were at least two incidents of United planes clipping each others' wings while taxiing, one in May and one in September.
Top image: Photo by John McArthur
