The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating two separate blown-tire incidents involving commercial aircraft at Chicago O’Hare International Airport on Monday. An American Airlines Boeing 737-800 and a United Airlines Airbus A320 both landed safely several hours apart. No injuries were reported, and passengers from both flights were taken to the terminal by stairs and buses.
The incidents occurred during a busy summer travel period at O’Hare and follow other recent tire-related problems involving flights at Chicago-area airports. The FAA said its information remains preliminary and may change as the investigations continue.
| 1) | American Airlines flight reports blown tires after landing |
|---|---|
| 2) | United Airlines flight experiences tire damage hours later |
| 3) | FAA reviews a series of Chicago-area tire incidents |
| 4) | Busy O’Hare schedule adds operational pressure |
| 5) | Passengers were safely moved to the terminal |
American Airlines flight reports blown tires after landing
The crew of American Airlines Flight 386 reported two blown tires after the Boeing 737-800 landed safely at O’Hare at about 2 p.m. Monday. The flight had originated at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. Passengers left the aircraft using stairs and were transported by bus to the terminal.
American Airlines described the event as a tire issue and said first responders met the aircraft as a precaution. The airline removed the plane from service so its maintenance team could inspect it. The company said customers were transported safely and apologized for the experience.
United Airlines flight experiences tire damage hours later
A little more than three hours later, the crew of United Airlines Flight 739 reported a blown tire after the Airbus A320 landed at O’Hare at approximately 5:15 p.m. The aircraft was traveling from Omaha, Nebraska, to Chicago.
United said 121 passengers and five crew members were aboard. Customers deplaned using airstairs, and buses took them to the terminal. The airline reported no injuries in the incident, while the FAA opened a separate investigation.
FAA reviews a series of Chicago-area tire incidents
The FAA is investigating both Monday incidents to determine what caused the tire failures and whether any broader safety issues are involved. The agency characterized the information as preliminary and subject to change.
The latest events follow other tire-related incidents involving passenger aircraft in the Chicago region. Less than a week earlier, a United aircraft reportedly suffered blown tires and aborted a takeoff at O’Hare. On Aug. 3, Southwest Airlines Flight 1243 blew a tire after landing at Chicago Midway International Airport at about 6:45 a.m. That Boeing 737 had flown from Southwest Florida International Airport, and the FAA also investigated that event. No injuries were reported at Midway.
Busy O’Hare schedule adds operational pressure
The incidents took place during the 2026 summer travel season, when O’Hare was handling a high volume of scheduled flights. The FAA said earlier this year that peak travel days were expected to include more than 3,080 flights, representing a 14.9% increase over the previous summer’s peak-day schedule.
In response to operational constraints and concerns about delays, the agency later imposed limits on scheduled operations at O’Hare. The available information did not establish that the busy schedule caused either tire incident, but the airport’s traffic levels form part of the wider operating context.
Passengers were safely moved to the terminal
Neither aircraft required an emergency evacuation, and both flights completed their landings safely before passengers were moved from the planes. Airstairs and buses were used instead of the normal jet bridges, allowing the aircraft to be taken out of service or assessed while passengers continued to the terminal.
First responders met the American aircraft as a precaution. The airlines did not report injuries, and the FAA’s investigations remain focused on the aircraft tire damage and the circumstances surrounding each landing.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | American Flight 386 reported two blown tires after landing at O’Hare around 2 p.m. |
| 2 | United Flight 739 reported a blown tire after landing at about 5:15 p.m. |
| 3 | No injuries were reported in either incident. |
| 4 | The FAA is investigating both events. |
Summary
Two commercial aircraft reported tire damage after landing at Chicago O’Hare within several hours on Monday. Both flights arrived safely, passengers were transferred to the terminal without reported injuries, and the FAA is examining the incidents amid a recent series of tire problems at Chicago-area airports.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at O’Hare?
An American Airlines Boeing 737-800 and a United Airlines Airbus A320 reported blown tires after landing several hours apart on Monday.
Were any passengers injured?
No injuries were reported. Passengers left both aircraft using airstairs and were taken by bus to the terminal.
Why is the FAA investigating?
The FAA is reviewing the circumstances and causes of the tire damage. The agency said its information is preliminary and may change.
