A United Airlines flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Boston returned to Washington as a precaution today due to a state of emergency.
United Airlines flight UA688 Washington – Boston
United Airlines flight UA688, a Boeing 737, from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) declared a general state of emergency and returned to Washington on September 18.
Departure and diversion to Washington
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According to flight data, United Airlines flight UA688 departed from IAD on the night of September 18 at 17:33 EDT. The flight then proceeded on a northeast trajectory toward Boston, climbing to FL290 (29,000 feet).
As the flight passed through New Jersey airspace, it began its turn as it approached Atlantic City and began its return journey to its departure airport, IAD.
Declaration of emergency
The plane’s altitude dropped below 10,000 degrees during the initial approach, and as it passed directly over Baltimore, it issued a state of emergency, sounding its transponder code 7700.
According to the online account Flight Emergency, the plane experienced an engine surge that resulted in a precautionary return and subsequent declaration of a state of emergency.
The flight then stayed on board for just over an hour, landing at IAD at 18:38 EDT. The aircraft operating this flight was a Boeing 737-924ER, registration number N68801. A 10-year-old narrow-body airplane belonging to the airline United Airlines.