United Flight Makes Emergency Landing at Arizona Military Base Amid Severe Weather

United Flight 2078 from Houston to Phoenix diverted to Luke Air Force Base after severe weather made landing at Phoenix unsafe.

United Airlines Flight 2078 made an unplanned landing at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona on Monday after severe weather near Phoenix forced the crew to change course.

The flight was traveling from Houston to Phoenix when thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong wind gusts affected the Phoenix area. According to United Airlines, the crew determined that landing at the military base in Glendale, Arizona, was the safest option.

The airline said the pilots worked with air traffic controllers to coordinate the landing at Luke Air Force Base. The aircraft landed safely with 154 passengers and six crew members on board.

After arriving at the military base, United arranged buses to transport passengers to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, where the flight had originally been scheduled to land.

The aircraft, a Boeing 737-900, departed George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston at about 7:49 p.m. local time and landed at Luke Air Force Base around 8:49 p.m., according to FlightAware.

United thanked the U.S. Air Force and teams at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport for helping find a solution for customers affected by the diversion.

The airline also said the aircraft was expected to return to Houston from Luke Air Force Base without passengers on Tuesday.

The diversion comes just days after another United Airlines flight experienced an in-flight issue. Earlier this month, United Flight 509, traveling from Rome to Newark, diverted to Shannon Airport in Ireland after pilots reported unusual engine vibrations.

Passengers on that flight described hearing a loud bang followed by violent shaking throughout the cabin. United later confirmed the aircraft landed safely in Ireland to address an issue with one engine.

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