United Airlines Boeing plane loses wheel after takeoff from Los Angeles and lands safely in Denver
NBCJUL 2024
United Airlines Boeing Plane Loses Wheel After Takeoff
Above: United Airlines Boeing 737-8 prepares for takeoff at Los Angeles International Airport during Memorial Day weekend on May 24, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Image copyright: AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The majority of recent flight failures have involved Boeing planes, and the whole world now knows why. A little over a century ago, Bill Boeing built a plane company that emphasized quality over quantity, but those in charge today have drifted away from that philosophy. Boeing, aided by ineffective federal regulators, has gotten off scot-free too many times, and it must put in the necessary work to regain public trust.
Narrative B
While Boeing has received much well-deserved criticism over its recent manufacturing errors, United Airlines cannot shift all the blame away from its own safety practices. Considering that several of the planes in question were decades old — meaning they've been under the care of the airline, not the original manufacturer — the issues ranging from fallen wheels to broken wings are the responsibility of United Airlines' internal inspectors.
Metaculus Prediction
There is a 1% chance that Boeing will release a new midsize aircraft, likely called the 797, into commercial service before 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
