NYC-bound flight from Houston halted before takeoff due to engine issue

ByEyewitness News WABC logo
Monday, February 3, 2025
NYC-bound flight from Houston halted before takeoff due to engine issue
Lucy Yang talked to passengers at LaGuardia Airport.

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- Airport officials say passengers and crew members are safe after a United Airlines flight bound for LaGuardia Airport from Houston had an engine issue just before takeoff on Sunday.

According to Houston Airports, UA Flight 1382 had to abort its takeoff from George Bush Intercontinental Airport on the runway just after 8:30 a.m.

Roslyn Tenpow immediately thought of her loved ones and feared she was going to die.

"My kids, my family. I just came back from Guyana visiting my mom," Tenpow said.

Flames started shooting out of one of the engines. The plane was not yet airborne.

"What really got me was when we were speeding towards getting on the air, the sudden stop. That's what really got me," said passenger Alejandro Mendoza.

"Before the plane took off I was listening to Gospel music. I was praying - take us there safely," Tenpow added.

Passengers tell Eyewitness News they were instructed to slide off the plane until it was determined there was time to use the stairs.

Authorities confirm 104 passengers and five crewmembers were safely evacuated. The passengers were placed on another flight and eventually landed at LaGuardia on Sunday night.

Tenpow admits it was not easy boarding another plane.

"I was the last person to get on the plane. I was scared," she said.

ALSO READ: 67 dead after midair collision between passenger jet and military helicopter; Black boxes recovered

Josh Einiger reports from Washington, DC.

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