United Airlines flight 328 bound for Hawaii has returned to Denver International Airport after it possibly ignited a small grass fire upon take off, authorities say.
The 333 passengers and 12 crew members safely “deplaned” and arrangements are being made to help the passengers get to their final destination, said Maddie King, spokeswoman for United Airlines.
“Our captain noted that there was something wrong with one of the engines and decided to turn back,” King said.
Denver Fire Department firefighters have contained the grass fire that started east of Runway 725 on the southwest runway, said Heath Montgomery, DIA spokesman.
“We do not expect the fire to be a problem,” Montgomery said.
The fire and flight 328’s engine trouble appear to be related.
“We do believe it was started by the aircraft but we don’t know why,” Montgomery said.
Part of the mystery of what happened is that the aircraft itself was not on fire, according to King.
The Denver to Hawaii flight is returning to DIA for inspection as a precaution, Montgomery said.
King said that technicians are inspecting the Boeing 777-200 plane for problems.
