SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — A San Francisco plane headed for China was diverted on Saturday due to a mechanical issue.
United Airlines said the plane “had to release fuel to avoid landing overweight.”
United Airlines Flight 888 departed San Francisco International Airport at approximately 12:42 p.m. for Beijing Capital International Airport in China (PEK).
FlyAware data shows the flight was diverted back to SFO, arriving at 2:20 p.m.
Viewer David Gerow sent ABC7 video of the United plane dropping fuel on the way back to SFO.
It’s unknown how many passengers were on the plane, but United says they are expected to be booked on another flight Saturday evening.
This comes after another United Airlines plane made a wrong turn during an SFO takeoff nearly colliding with Fresno-bound SkyWest plane back on May 13.
Those planes were only hundreds of feet from each other.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating that incident.
United Airlines released a statement to ABC7 on Saturday’s incident writing:
“United flight 888 from San Francisco to Beijing safely returned to San Francisco to address a maintenance issue. The plane had to release fuel to avoid landing overweight. The flight will swap to a new aircraft, and we expect to get our customers on their way this evening local time.”
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
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