United Flight Bound For Japan Returns To Dulles After Mechanical Issue, Brushfire (UPDATED)

By Zak Failla From Daily Voice

A United Airlines flight departing Dulles International Airport on Saturday afternoon was able to land safely back in Virginia after a mechanical malfunction sparked a small brushfire near the runway.

First responders from Sterling, Ashburn, and other surrounding agencies were called around 1 p.m. on Dec. 13 to the Loudoun County airport, where a re forced the flight to return due to a mechanical failure. 

According to officials with the Loudoun Career Firefighters Association, the Boeing 777 was taking off for Japan when the mechanical issue caused the brushfire along one of the runways.

Photos from the airport shared on social media show smoke billowing over the runway as flights were temporarily halted.

The plane returned and landed safely, officials said. Crews were still working to contain the brush fire as of 1:45 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. 

No details about the malfunction have been released. 

This is a developing story. Check Daily Voice for updates.