A United Airlines flight heading to Phoenix abruptly aborted takeoff at Chicago O'Hare International Airport on Thursday after two tires blew on the aircraft's right main gear.
According to ABC News, air traffic control audio captured a pilot from a nearby plane describing what they saw on the runway. "We saw lots of chunks of tire going down the runway," the pilot said, according to audio from ATC.com.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the Boeing 737-900 safely aborted takeoff. Rescue personnel on the scene reported the two blown tires on the right main gear. The pilots told emergency responders that all passengers were okay.
There were 161 customers and six crew members on board. No injuries were reported. Passengers deplaned via stairs directly on the runway and were then bused to the terminal.
The flight was bound for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. United Airlines said it would arrange another aircraft to continue on to Phoenix later that day. The FAA is investigating the incident.
