At a Glance
- United Airlines flight 2323 lost a nose wheel after a hard landing in Orlando on Jan. 18
- 200 passengers and six crew evacuated safely via buses after the Airbus A321neo became disabled
- FAA and United cite “mechanical issue upon landing” and confirm investigation
- Why it matters: Runway closure triggered airport delays amid 56-mph wind gusts
A United Airlines Airbus A321neo from Chicago O’Hare slammed onto the runway at Orlando International Airport on Jan. 18, shedding its nose wheel and forcing the airport to briefly halt operations.
Flight Details and Timeline
Flight 2323 took off from Chicago O’Hare at 8:58 a.m. local time and touched down in Orlando around 12:30 p.m., according to FlightAware. Within seconds of landing, the aircraft lurched, and video shared widely on social media shows the nose wheel detaching as the plane skids along the pavement.
- 200 passengers on board
- Six crew members
- No injuries reported
- Aircraft removed from runway after evaluation
{both United and the FAA} confirmed the jet “became disabled” and that emergency slides were not required; travelers walked to waiting buses for transport back to the terminal.
Weather and Operating Conditions
While United attributes the event to a “mechanical issue upon landing,” the National Weather Service logged wind gusts up to 56 mph at Orlando International moments after the incident. A wind advisory had been in effect for central Florida earlier that morning but was lifted by early afternoon.
{both United and the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority} reported the runway closure triggered departure and arrival delays throughout the airport. Ground traffic returned to normal once crews towed the damaged aircraft clear of the active strip.
Investigation Status
The FAA’s preliminary statement to News Of Los Angeles indicates inspectors will examine both the landing gear and the sequence of events leading to the hard touchdown. United says maintenance teams are also reviewing the aircraft’s records and will cooperate fully with federal investigators.
Key Takeaways
- United flight 2323 landed hard in Orlando, losing its nose wheel
- No injuries among the 206 people on board
- Runway reopened after disabled jet was removed
- FAA investigation under way amid reported 56-mph wind gusts
