On Feb 20th 2026, a United Airlines Boeing 737-900, registration N34460, declared an emergency during approach into San Jose after a leading edge flap malfunction forced a go-around.
Flight UA-2745 from Denver was on final approach to runway 30L at San Jose when the crew initiated a missed approach, reporting that the aircraft’s leading edge flaps had not deployed as commanded. The malfunction altered the aircraft’s landing configuration and performance, prompting the pilots to declare an emergency and set up for another approach.
After approximately 20 minutes, the aircraft returned to runway 30L and landed safely at a higher-than-normal approach speed, consistent with procedures for reduced high-lift capability. There were no reports of injuries.
Leading edge flaps play a critical role in increasing lift and reducing stall speed during landing. If they fail to extend, flight crews must adjust approach speeds and landing distances accordingly, often requiring additional preparation and coordination with air traffic control.
The aircraft was inspected following the event and returned to service about 14 hours after landing, indicating that the issue was resolved without long-term impact on operations.
