Jan 12th 2026 : A CommuteAir Embraer ERJ-145 operating on behalf of United Airlines was forced to return to its departure airport shortly after takeoff after suffering an in-flight engine failure.
The aircraft, registered N13124, was operating United Express flight UA-4295 from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Mobile, Alabama (MOB) with 43 passengers and three crew members on board. The flight departed Dulles from runway 19L.
During the initial climb, the flight crew declared “Mayday, Mayday”, reporting that engine No. 1 (left-hand AE3007) had failed. The crew stopped the climb at approximately 11,000 feet and initiated a return to Washington Dulles.
The aircraft landed safely on runway 12 at Dulles about 25 minutes after departure. No injuries were reported, and the aircraft taxied clear of the runway without further incident.
United Airlines arranged a replacement Embraer ERJ-145, registered N16170, which continued the service to Mobile. The substitute aircraft reached Mobile with a delay of approximately three hours.
The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground at Washington Dulles about 42 hours after landing, suggesting maintenance inspections were ongoing to address the reported engine failure.
The incident highlights standard multi-engine aircraft safety procedures, where crews are trained to manage an engine failure after takeoff and return to the departure airport in a controlled and coordinated manner.
