BOEING 777 near Beijing — 2025-05-26

Probable cause

NTSB has not published a probable cause for this accident yet. Preliminary reports describe what happened; the cause is determined later, often 12–24 months after the event.

NTSB narrative

On May 26, 2025, at approximately 0925 UTC, a Boeing 777-200, registration N793UA, operated as United Airlines flight 889, executed a rejected takeoff at Beijing Capital International Airport when the crew heard a loud bang and followed by a No. 2 (right) engine failure warning. The airplane came to an uneventful stop on the runway, passengers were deplaned, and the airplane was later defueled and towed clear of the runway. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 flight from Beijing Capital International Airport (ZBAA) to San Francisco International Airport (KSFO), San Francisco, California. The airplane data recorders will be downloaded at the NTSB Headquarters in Washington, DC, and the No. 2 engine was removed further examination. The Civil Aviation Administration of China declined to investigate and as such the NTSB is leading the investigation as the State of Registry/Manufacturer in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 guidelines. Additional parties to the investigation include the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Boeing, United Airlines, and Pratt & Whitney.

Preliminary NTSB coding

• Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail · Takeoff-rejected takeoff

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