A United Airlines flight experienced engine failure during takeoff when departing from Washington Dulles International Airport. The Tokyo-bound flight made an emergency landing after losing power in one engine. “I’ve been briefed on United Flight 803 from Dulles to Japan,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said. Duffy listed what the agency knew about the situation: An engine failed on the Boeing 777-200ER shortly after take-off 275 passengers, 15 crew members on board A piece of the engine cover separated and caught fire, sparking a brush fire on the ground The plane landed safely, and there are no injuries at this time I've been briefed on United Flight 803 from Dulles to Japan. Here’s what we know: -An engine failed on the Boeing 777-200ER shortly after take-off -275 passengers, 15 crew members on board -A piece of the engine cover separated and caught fire, sparking a brush fire on… https://t.co/IxkFJU2Fes — Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) December 13, 2025 NBC4 Washington has more: As the plane was taking off and the engine sparked, it also “ignited some brush around the runway,” the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) said in a statement to News4. The fire was extinguished by airport fire responders, the MWAA said. Those responders also checked the plane. Smoke from the brush fire was visible from some distance away, and photos and video of the smoking plane were quickly shared on social media. However, flights continued takeoff and landing at other Dulles runways while emergency crews delt with the United flight, indicating the scale of the emergency was small. “Our fire department extinguished brush that caught fire near a runway around 12:20 p.m. as an aircraft took off. The plane returned safely to Dulles. Flights continued operating on other runways. Thanks to those who reached out with your concerns,” the airport stated on X. Our fire department extinguished brush that caught fire near a runway around 12:20 p.m. as an aircraft took off. The plane returned safely to Dulles. Flights continued operating on other runways. Thanks to those who reached out with your concerns. — Dulles Airport (IAD) (@Dulles_Airport) December 13, 2025 “Shortly after takeoff, United Flight 803 returned to Washington Dulles and landed safely to address the loss of power in one engine,” the airline stated, according to WJLA. “There were no reported injuries. United is grateful to our crews and to the teams at Washington Dulles for their work to help ensure the safety of everyone involved,” it added. Engine failure forces Tokyo-bound United Airlines flight to return to DC-area airport https://t.co/Z3bGq0ASmo pic.twitter.com/d3SFM0Lgve — New York Post (@nypost) December 13, 2025 WJLA noted: Loudoun County Fire and Rescue also responded to Dulles to provide mutual aid for several small brush fires along the runway area. Officials said the fires were contained without further incident. To assist affected passengers, United temporarily closed a United Club lounge at Dulles, allowing staff to help customers rebook and continue their travel. The airline said it is scheduling a different aircraft to operate the flight to Tokyo later Saturday.