SAN ANTONIO, TX — A regional flight operating under the United Express brand experienced a mechanical issue shortly after takeoff from San Antonio International Airport on Tuesday evening, leaving the aircraft unable to retract its landing gear.
Flight UA4053, operated by a 12-year-old Embraer 175 aircraft (reg. N89308), departed San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 19:17 CDT bound for Houston. Shortly after liftoff, the flight crew indicated that a recurring technical problem had returned, with the aircraft’s landing gear failing to retract into the wheel wells.
After climbing to a safe altitude, the pilots executed standard troubleshooting checklists to address the indication. Following these procedures, the flight crew made the operational decision to keep the landing gear extended and continue the short transit to Houston, Texas.
Flying with the gear extended increases aerodynamic drag and limits operational altitude and speed, but the proximity of the destination allowed the crew to safely proceed. The aircraft landed safely in Houston approximately 35 minutes after departure without further incident.
