A United Airlines pilot declared “Mayday” after one of the airplane’s engines failed shortly after takeoff on a transatlantic flight. An audio recording captured the moment when the pilot of United Flight 108 told air traffic control of the plane’s engine failure moments after taking off from Washington Dulles International Airport on July 25th. The aircraft was ascending on its nearly eight-hour journey to Munich, Germany. “Failure, engine failure, left engine,” the pilot said. “Declaring an emergency. Mayday, mayday, mayday,” the pilot continued. Take a listen: United Pilot yells 'Mayday, mayday, mayday' as Boeing loses engine AGAIN on DC takeoff. That's why I say – If its Boeing, I am not going pic.twitter.com/sne804vQyF — Baba Banaras (@RealBababanaras) August 4, 2025 More from the New York Post: Air traffic controllers advised the flight to begin turning northeast to begin returning to Dulles. But with its fuel tanks filled for the long flight that was planned, pilots realized the aircraft was too heavy to safely land and requested space to circle while its tanks were sufficiently emptied. After about 30 minutes, the plane began its descent and landed without issue. The flight’s 219 passengers and 11 crew all deplaned safely. United officials told People the plane suffered a “mechanical issue,” but did not elaborate. “The plane landed safely, and all passengers deplaned normally at the gate,” a United Airlines spokesperson said, according to The Hill. “The flight was subsequently canceled and we arranged alternate travel arrangements to take customers to their destination as soon as possible,” the spokesperson added. United Airlines flight declares mayday https://t.co/M4kiVh0pyE — The Hill (@thehill) August 4, 2025 The Hill noted: Flight tracking data show the plane was in the air for 2 hours and 38 minutes. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority told The Hill that the plane “was checked by Airports Authority Fire and Rescue personnel then towed to a gate” upon arrival. Listen to the full audio below: