A United Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing after debris from the plane fell into a residential area in Colorado.
Flight 328 was headed from Denver to Honolulu, Hawaii, when debris started to fall, including the engine rim and what is believed to have been parts of the engine casing.
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The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) said in a statement that the Boeing 777-200 returned to Denver International Airport after experiencing a 'right-engine failure' after take-off.
The plane landed safely at the airport, with authorities saying nobody on board or on the ground was reported as injured.
United Airlines said in a separate statement that there were 231 passengers and 10 crew members on board.
The airline added that all passengers were to be rebooked onto a new flight to Hawaii.
Broomfield Police shared several photos of the debris on social media, saying in a statement: "At about 1:08 p.m. today, February 20, Broomfield Police began receiving reports of falling debris from a large plane possibly experiencing engine failure while flying overhead.
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"The debris landed in several Broomfield neighborhoods, mostly concentrated in Commons Park, Red Leaf, and Northmoor.
"We are so thankful that no injuries have been reported from the falling debris, and that the plane made a safe landing at DIA."
The force said the National Transportation Safety Board would be taking over the investigation.
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Twitter user Tyler Thal shared footage of the plane flying low over Broomfield with pieces of the aircraft falling from it.
Speaking to the Associated Press, he said: "While I was looking at it, I saw an explosion and then the cloud of smoke and some debris falling from it.
"It was just like a speck in the sky and as I'm watching that, I'm telling my family what I just saw and then we heard the explosion.
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"The plane just kind of continued on and we didn't see it after that."
Local Kirby Klements was inside his home with his wife when they heard a huge booming sound.
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He told the AP how, a few seconds later, they saw a huge piece of debris fly past their window and into the bed of his truck, crushing the cab and pushing the vehicle into the dirt.
Klements estimated the circular engine cowling at 15ft (4.5m) in diameter, saying fine pieces of the fiberglass insulation used in the airplane engine fell from the sky 'like ash' for about 10 minutes.
He added that several large chunks of insulation landed in his backyard, he said: "If it had been 10 feet different, it would have landed right on top of the house.
"And if anyone had been in the truck, they would have been dead."
A statement from United Airlines, supplied to LADbible, said: "Flight 328 from Denver to Honolulu experienced an engine failure shortly after departure, returned safely to Denver and was met by emergency crews as a precaution. There are no reported injuries onboard, and we will share more information as it becomes available."
This was followed by another statement, which said: "Following an emergency landing by United flight 328, we ensured our customers were comfortable and cared for at Denver International Airport while we prepared another aircraft to get them to Honolulu. The majority of customers originally on UA328 are currently on their way to Honolulu on a new flight, UA3025, which is scheduled to land at 10:40p.m. local time. Those who did not wish to travel with us this evening were provided hotel accommodations. We will continue to work with federal agencies investigating this incident."
Featured Image Credit: PA
Topics: flight, Plane, News, US News
