NTSB says it will investigate plane’s steep dive off Hawaii

FILE - A United Airlines jetliner taxis to a runway for take off from Denver International Airport, Dec. 27, 2022. Federal investigators are seeking more information about an incident in which a United Airlines plane dropped to within about 800 feet of the ocean surface after taking off from Hawaii. United says the two pilots are undergoing additional trying. A spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board said Monday, Feb. 13, 2023 that the investigative agency is still seeking information about the Dec. 18 incident. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday it will investigate a December flight in which a United Airlines plane descended to within less than 800 feet (250 meters) of the ocean surface after taking off from Hawai‘i.

The NTSB said it expects to issue a preliminary report in two to three weeks.

The agency had told The Associated Press on Monday that it was asking United questions about the incident before deciding whether to launch a formal investigation.

The Boeing 777 dropped more than 1,400 feet (470 meters) before regaining altitude and completing the Dec. 18 flight from Kahului Airport on the island of Maui to San Francisco, according to data from tracking service Flightradar24. No injuries were reported.

Chicago-based United said it is cooperating with authorities and the pilots are currently receiving additional training.

1 Comments
  1. Heidi February 15, 2023 3:25 pm Reply

    Was this a matter of pilot error? Or did they get bad fuel in their airplane? This gives the airplane lots of turbulence if they receive bad airplane fuel. It goes like this, a grinding sound and up and down noise in the engine. And shaky all the way around. Until at a lower altitude like about 600 ft. before landing. Then it smooths off and ready to land.

    I think anyone is qualified to make these kinds of assessments. And not just sports in politics. Of which I don’t think they should pay these people for those assessments. Just them and the NTSB and not use taxpayers’ money to get a pay.


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