United Airlines Boeing 737-800 'engine problem' causes grass fire in Boston

A small grass fire that started on the edge of the runway on Monday was caused by an aircraft “engine problem.” United Airlines Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The narrow-body aircraft taxied for departure but returned to the gate for inspection after the fire.

UA2136 en route to Washington

According to the airline, the “engine issue” caused the plane to return to the gate, where it was met by emergency responders and United's maintenance crew. Flightradar24 identifies that United Airlines flight UA2136, operated by the 737, was scheduled to take off as scheduled Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) at 7:15 p.m. NBC Boston reports that the airline had delayed the flight “due to an issue with the engine” and the cause was “immediately addressed.”

Simple Flying has reached out to United for comment and a spokesperson provided the following statement:

“United Flight 2136 from Boston to Dulles was delayed prior to departure due to an issue with the engine, which our local ground crew and emergency responders immediately resolved. The plane never left the ground and returned to the gate, where passengers disembarked normally. No injuries.” We ordered another plane that left last night around 9 p.m.

United Airlines Boeing 737-800 airplane at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in the United States.

Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

There was 162 passengers and six crew members on board, and there were no reports of injuries. The passengers were disembarked at the terminal and transferred to another aircraft. The flight, which normally takes just over an hour, finally took off from Massachusetts airport at 9:57 p.m. and landed in the US capital at 11:07 p.m.

Approaching 1000 aircraft! United Airlines' fleet in 2024

With many more jets on order, United's fleet includes nearly 500 Boeing 737s and nearly 100 777s.

The plane did not catch fire

According to NBC, the Masachetsus Port Authority (Masssport) confirmed that the aircraft had not caught fire. However, the grass on the edge of the runway caught fire as the plane taxied down the runway. The aircraft could then return to the gate for further inspection. While we can only speculate as to what may have caused the engine fire, common reasons for an engine fire can include fluctuating fuel pressure, broken fuel lines, overfilling, or loss of engine oil.

A United Boeing 737-800 flies low to the ground.

Photo: Lukas Souza | Easy flying

Residents in suburban Winthrop reported hearing loud noises and their homes beginning to shake around the time the plane taxied to the runway. According to WCVB, resident Joe Quigley noted:

“It was like two loud bangs. It was something that struck you, that something happened at the airport.”

Four flights daily to Washington

United Airlines offers up to four daily flights between Boston and Washington. On this route the airline has the following schedule:

UA1734, departing Boston at 05:45, arriving Dulles at 07:29 (operated by Airbus A320)
UA2098, departing Boston at 09:38 a.m., arriving Dulles at 11:22 a.m. (operated by Boeing 737-900)
UA216, departing Boston at 2:00 p.m., arriving Dulles at 3:44 p.m. (operated by Airbus A320)
UA2136, departing Boston at 7:38 p.m., arriving Dulles at 9:25 p.m. (operated by Boeing 737 MAX 8)

United Airlines Airbus A320 (N497UA) taking off from Denver International Airport.

Photo: Denver International Airport

In Boston the United Clubis located in Terminal B, near Gate 24, and is available to eligible passengers prior to their flight. Alternative airlines, American, Delta and JetBlue operate several services between Boston and Washington. However, these services operate directly to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).