United A319 Returns to Dulles After Loud Bang During Takeoff

Incident Overview

United Airlines Flight 2241, an Airbus A319-132 with registration N889UA, experienced a loud noise and vibrations shortly after takeoff from Washington Dulles International Airport on Feb. 3, 2026. The incident occurred during departure to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport when the crew leveled off at 3,000 feet following gear retraction. Pilots initially reported extremely loud noises suggesting mechanical failure before clarifying the issue involved engine problems.

Emergency Response

The flight crew reported the anomaly to departure control, though initial communications were missed before confirmation of engine vibration issues. United Airlines declared an emergency, and the aircraft executed a visual approach back to Runway 19R, stopping on a taxiway for inspection by Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting crews. All 113 passengers and crew members disembarked safely without injury, and passengers were rebooked on other flights per standard protocol.

Investigation Underway

Preliminary indications from aviation safety logs suggest the loud bang was related to the power-up climb phase, potentially involving engine surge or accessory issues rather than catastrophic failure. As of early February 2026, no NTSB preliminary report has been released, though the aircraft was inspected externally with no visible damage noted. United Airlines followed conservative safety protocols by grounding the aircraft for thorough checks before returning it to service.