United Airlines Plane Bursts into Flames During Takeoff at Houston Airport (Video)

A United Airlines flight bound for New York City was forced to abort takeoff early Sunday morning after one of its engines caught fire on the runway at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Airbus A319 experienced a “reported engine issue” at 8:35 AM local time. The flight crew immediately halted takeoff, and passengers were forced to evacuate on the runwayusing emergency slides and stairs. All 104 passengers and 5 crew members made it out safely.

Video footage captured by FOX 26 Houston shows flames shooting from the aircraft’s wing. In the background, a flight attendant can be heard urging passengers to stay seated, but one shocked traveler shouts: “No! It’s on fire!”

Passenger Mark Ellison, a Texas businessman heading to New York for work, described the chaos:

“We felt a huge jolt, and then people started yelling that the wing was on fire. The flight crew kept saying to stay calm, but we were looking at flames! It was terrifying.”

Another passenger, Sarah Caldwell, who was traveling with her two children, called the experience “the most terrifying moment of my life.”

“I grabbed my kids and ran. We had no idea if the plane was going to explode.”

United Airlines released a statement confirming that the flight, UA1382, received a warning about the engine before takeoff. “The crew acted quickly to halt the takeoff and evacuate the aircraft. No injuries were reported.”

But for many, that reassurance isn’t enough.

This latest aviation scare comes just days after a deadly plane crash in Philadelphia killed six people. That tragedy happened only 48 hours after an American Eagle jet and an Army helicopter collided in Washington D.C., leaving 67 dead.

The FAA has launched an investigation into the United Airlines fire, but some aviation experts are raising concerns about a disturbing rise in safety failures.

Retired commercial pilot Tom Henderson sees a troubling pattern:

“We’re seeing more and more of these incidents. Whether it’s maintenance issues, pilot shortages, or rushed inspections, something is going wrong.”

Critics have pointed to recent regulatory rollbacks under the Biden administration, questioning whether federal oversight of airline safety has weakened under current leadership.

Former FAA inspector Mike Reynolds didn’t mince words:

“When you cut corners on safety and prioritize politics over real oversight, this is what happens. How many more close calls before we wake up?”

With this latest fire in Houston, many Americans are left asking: Is it safe to fly?

While the FAA’s investigation is ongoing, travelers are demanding answers—and accountability.