Boeing plane's wheel falls off mid-flight, second incident in four months

A Boeing passenger jetliner on Monday departing from Los Angeles experienced a significant safety issue when it lost a wheel during takeoff. The Boeing 757-200, operated by United Airlines, managed to land safely in Denver, its intended destination, despite the mishap. United Airlines confirmed the incident and stated that the wheel had been recovered in Los Angeles. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the wheel detachment.

The flight carried 174 passengers and seven crew members, all of whom were unharmed. This incident marks the second time in recent months that a United Airlines-operated Boeing aircraft has lost a wheel after takeoff. In March, a Boeing 777 headed for Japan lost a tire shortly after departing from San Francisco, necessitating an emergency landing.

The Boeing 757-200 involved in Monday's incident was originally delivered in 1994, making it a 30-year-old aircraft. Boeing ceased production of the 757 model in 2004. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the lost wheel.

Boeing, DOJ reach deal over MAX crashes case

Monday's incident involving the Boeing 757-200 is yet another challenge for the aerospace giant as it navigates ongoing safety concerns and legal repercussions.

Compounding Boeing's troubles, the company agreed on Monday to plead guilty to fraud in a settlement with the US Department of Justice. This settlement is related to two fatal 737 MAX crashes that occurred over five years ago in Ethiopia and Indonesia, resulting in the deaths of 346 people. The plea deal allows Boeing to avoid a criminal trial but requires the company to pay a $243.6 million fine, in addition to an identical sum previously paid.

In January, the 737 MAX faced renewed scrutiny when a fuselage door plug blew out on an Alaska Airlines flight. These incidents have cast a shadow over Boeing's safety record and prompted closer examination by regulators.

Families of the crash victims have opposed the settlement, arguing that it unfairly benefits Boeing in ways that other criminal defendants would not receive. Court documents filed in Texas revealed that Boeing had agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States during the certification process of the MAX airplanes.