The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced investigations into two separate tire incidents that occurred at Chicago O’Hare International Airport on Monday, highlighting a recent string of wheel‑related problems at the city’s major airports.
American Airlines flight reports blown tires
At approximately 2:00 p.m., the crew of American Airlines Flight 386, a Boeing 737‑800 that had departed from New York’s LaGuardia Airport, reported that two tires were blown after the aircraft landed safely at O’Hare. Passengers were deplaned using stairs and then escorted to the terminal by bus, according to an FAA statement provided to Fox News Digital.
American Airlines described the event as a “tire issue” and said first responders met the aircraft out of an abundance of caution. The airline’s statement added that the aircraft was removed from service for inspection and that the airline apologized to its customers for the inconvenience.
United Airlines flight experiences tire damage
Just over three hours later, at about 5:15 p.m., United Airlines Flight 739, an Airbus A320 traveling from Omaha, Nebraska, to Chicago with 121 passengers and five crew members, reported a blown tire after landing at O’Hare. United confirmed that passengers deplaned via airstairs and were transported back to the terminal by bus. No injuries were reported.
The airline’s spokesperson said the aircraft sustained tire damage after arrival and that the incident was handled according to standard safety procedures.
Recent pattern of tire problems in Chicago
These incidents add to a series of tire‑related events that have occurred at Chicago’s airports in recent weeks. Less than a week earlier, another United Airlines aircraft aborted a takeoff at O’Hare after reporting blown tires. Earlier in August, a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 experienced a blown tire after landing at Chicago Midway International Airport.
None of the reported incidents resulted in passenger injuries, and each airline promptly removed the affected aircraft from service for inspection.
FAA response and summer travel context
The FAA emphasized that its information is preliminary and subject to change, and it will conduct thorough investigations of both incidents. The agency noted that the incidents occurred during a busy summer travel season, with more than 3,080 flights planned on peak days at O’Hare—a 14.9% increase over the previous summer’s schedule.
Earlier this year, the FAA imposed limits on scheduled operations at O’Hare to reduce delays and manage operational constraints. Chicago’s Department of Aviation has not indicated any immediate impact on airport operations as a result of Monday’s events.
What this means for travelers
While the FAA and airlines continue their investigations, passengers traveling through O’Hare can expect standard safety protocols to remain in place. Travelers are advised to follow airline instructions, remain patient during deplaning procedures, and stay informed through airline communications for any updates.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
