Recent incidents involving Boeing planes have raised significant safety concerns. One such alarming event occurred when a Boeing plane lost a wheel mid-air, marking the second incident this year. This article delves into the details of this event, eyewitness accounts, and the broader implications for airline safety.

Passengers aboard a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Denver experienced a terrifying moment when a wheel detached from the plane's landing gear shortly after takeoff. The flight, operated by a nearly 30-year-old Boeing 757-200, took off around 7:15 am PT and safely landed at Denver International Airport at approximately 10:10 am local time. United Airlines confirmed the incident and stated that the missing wheel was later recovered in Los Angeles.

One of the passengers, Allen Stubblefield, a frequent flyer traveling from southern California to Iowa with a connection in Denver, shared his experience. He recalled the flight attendant's chilling announcement to "brace, brace, brace" before landing. Despite the initial fear, Stubblefield noted that the landing, though not smooth, resulted in only a minor bump.

The missing wheel was found in an airport employee parking lot in Los Angeles, where it had landed on a car, breaking a window. Fortunately, no one was injured. The incident caused significant damage to several parked vehicles, highlighting the potential dangers of such mechanical failures.

A video posted on Youtube captured the dramatic moment when the tire detached from the plane. The footage shows pilots at LAX discussing the incident, with one pilot stating, "Allegiant 2388, that B75 that just took off, I believe United, its tire came off and came rolling past us like B7-B8." This communication underscores the immediate awareness and concern among air traffic control and other pilots.

United Airlines responded swiftly, ensuring all 174 passengers and seven crew members were safe and uninjured. The airline investigated the cause of the wheel's detachment and rigorously followed safety protocols during and after the landing to prevent further incidents.

This incident, while similar to one in March, is a rare occurrence in the aviation industry. A Boeing 777-200 lost a wheel shortly after takeoff from San Francisco, necessitating a diversion to Los Angeles. Despite the alarming situation, no injuries were reported, though several cars were damaged in the airport parking lot.

Boeing has been under scrutiny for a series of quality control issues. In January, a door-sized panel blew off the fuselage mid-flight on a Boeing 737 Max 9, leading to a 19-day emergency grounding of all Boeing 737 Max 9s. These incidents have raised questions about the reliability of Boeing aircraft and the effectiveness of their quality control measures.

In response to these recurring issues, the FAA has taken a strong stance, mandating Boeing to develop a comprehensive plan to address its quality control problems within 90 days. The FAA's chief has underscored the need for 'real and profound improvements' to ensure passenger safety and restore public confidence in Boeing aircraft.