A Boeing 737 Max 8 operated by United Airlines veered off the runway after landing in Houston early Friday in the latest near-miss involving the embattled airliner.
The aircraft, which arrived from Memphis, is said to have suffered some form of gear collapse as it exited the runway at George Bush Airport, although the 160 passengers and six crew were not injured.
Shocking footage showed the plane lying flat on its wings on grass off the side off the runway, while passengers were hurried off from an emergency gate ladder.
It is the latest in a string of disastrous failings involving Boeing aircraft in recent days, including a 737 engine that caught fire mid-flight on Monday and a wheel falling off shortly after takeoff in San Francisco on Thursday.
The airliner also suffered a near-catastrophe in January as a 737 MAX 9 plane door blew out at 16,000ft over Portland, Oregon, forcing an emergency landing.
A Boeing 737 Max operated by United Airlines veered off the tarmac into the grass when exiting the runway at George Bush Airport in Houston early Friday
Shocking footage showed the plane laying flat on its wings off the side off a runway, while passengers were hurried off from an emergency gate ladder
The FAA says it is launching a full investigation of the latest disaster, which is still ongoing at the time of writing as United says it will move the aircraft as soon as it is able.
Despite the rocky end to the flight, a passenger claimed that the landing was smooth, but they felt some bumps as the plane taxied from the gate.
‘Felt like when you have a flat tire in a car,’ the passenger told Click2Houston.
In a statement, Houston Airports said: ‘Around 8am today, a United Airlines flight landed at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). As it was exiting the runway, the aircraft left the pavement and entered the grass along Runway 9-27.’
‘Fortunately, no one on board was injured. The Houston Fire Department and Houston Airports Operations immediately responded and safely evacuated all passengers.
‘Per federal regulation, the FAA has been notified. United Airlines is working to remove the plane, which is not impacting flight operations. Flights in and out of lAH continue without interruption.’
Boeing has seen billions dropped from its market capitalization in the wake of its repeat issues, as the FAA and NTSB launch investigations into its fleet of 737’s.
Last month, the FAA formally mandated inspections in Boeing 737 Max airplanes for loose bolts in the rudder control systems after the plane maker recommended them in December.
On Thursday, investigators determined that a 737 MAX 8 flight last month experienced ‘stuck’ rudder pedals during the landing roll out, although that issue did not result in any injuries.