CHICAGO — A United Airlines flight operating a Boeing 737 MAX 8 has declared an airborne emergency shortly after departing Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) today, sparking a rapid diversion.
Flight UA2092, bound for New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA), is currently the subject of a developing situation in the skies over the Midwest. The aircraft, registered as N37325, took off nearly two hours behind schedule at 9:54 AM, following an original scheduled departure of 8:00 AM.
According to flight tracking data, the climb initially appeared normal as the aircraft reached its cruising altitude of 37,000 feet. However, while heading east, the crew performed a sudden, sharp right turn and adjusted their transponder to Squawk 7700, the international code for a general emergency.
The nature of the emergency has not yet been confirmed by United Airlines or the Federal Aviation Administration.
UPDATES
- The flight is diverting to Pittsburgh.
- Passengers will be deplaning via stair upon landing according to ATC.
- On approach to runway 28C.
- Touch down at 12:04 local time.
- The aircraft is met by emergency vehicles on the runway.
- Passengers are evacuating via emergency slides.
- According to report, United Airlines flight UA2092 was diverted to Pittsburgh International Airport after a bomb threat was reported onboard shortly after departing Chicago O’Hare.
- The airline is scheduling a new departure at 3:PM.
