A United Airlines Boeing 787-8 flight, bound for Washington Dulles International Airport from Lagos, was forced to declare an emergency and return to its departure point on Thursday due to a technical issue. The flight, with 245 passengers, eight flight attendants, and three pilots on board, departed Murtala Muhammed International Airport but soon encountered a technical problem that prompted the crew to activate the emergency transponder code 7700, signaling distress to air traffic control.

The aircraft, which has been in service for over 13 years, managed to land safely back in Lagos, but the turbulent flight caused food and personal belongings to be scattered throughout the cabin, and some passengers and crew members sustained minor injuries. Video footage shared by passengers onboard showed the chaotic aftermath of the incident, with speculation that the issue might have been related to an engine problem.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched an official investigation to determine the cause of the incident. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed the incident, stating that passengers were provided with hotel accommodations as required by the NCAA Act. United Airlines also released a statement confirming the emergency landing, attributing the incident to a technical issue, and stating that first responders were on hand to assist passengers and crew with the minor injuries reported.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety and maintenance of aircraft, particularly those with older models like the Boeing 787-8. The investigation by the NSIB will aim to determine the root cause of the technical issue and provide recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future.