A United Airlines jet heading to Japan from San Francisco was forced to divert when a tyre fell from the plane shortly after takeoff, crushing cars in a parking lot below.
The Osaka-bound Boeing 777-200, with 249 people on board, diverted to Los Angeles International Airport after the incident. Videos posted on X by RadarBox captured the moment the tyre fell and footage of vehicles that appeared to have been damaged by the wheel. “The 777-200 has six tyres on each of its two main landing gear struts. The aircraft is designed to land safely with missing or damaged tyres,” United Airlines said in a statement.
The carrier said a replacement aircraft would transport passengers to Osaka and that the airline would work with the owners of the damaged vehicles to “ensure their needs are addressed.”