Sparks fly on United 777

UNTED B777-222 N787UA (MSN 26939)

A United Airlines 777-200 travelling from Newark-Liberty International Airport, NJ (EWR/KEWR) to São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport, SP (GRU/SBGR) with 279 people on board, was climbing out of Newark’s runway 22L at 11.24pm local, when the tower advised there had been sparks coming off the left- hand engine.

The United Airlines crew advised all indications were normal and continued the climb advising departure they were talking to maintenance to see whether they had any downloadable information, as the plane was flying fine.

The crew requested to level off at FL240 then after holding for about 12 minutes the crew requested to dump fuel and return to Newark. After dumping fuel for about 30 minutes the crew requested direct to Newark, positioned for an ILS approach to runway 22L and advised they needed no assistance on the ground. The aircraft landed safely on runway 22L an hour thirty-five later, vacated the runway and taxied to the apron.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: United Airlines

Code: UA/UAL

Aircraft: Boeing 777-222

Registration: N787UA

Serial Number: 26939

Engines: 2 X PW PW 2040

First Flew: 29/10/1996

Age: 25 Yrs. 11 Mts