Back-to-Back Tire Blows Leave FAA Probing Landing Incidents at Major US Airport

In a developing story from the aviation world, the Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation following reports of two commercial planes suffering blown tires merely hours apart at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on Monday. This follows a troubling trend of tire-related incidents that have recently plagued passenger flights at Chicago airports.

According to an FAA statement provided to News Media, the crew of American Airlines Flight 386 reported experiencing two blown tires upon safely landing at O’Hare around 2 p.m. on Monday.

Originating from New York’s LaGuardia Airport, the Boeing 737-800 required passengers to disembark using stairs before being transported to the terminal via buses, as detailed by the FAA.

American Airlines categorized the incident as a “tire issue” in a statement to News Media, noting that first responders were on standby to meet the aircraft purely as a precautionary measure.

“American Airlines flight 386 experienced a tire issue after landing safely at Chicago (ORD). Per procedure, first responders met the aircraft out of an abundance of caution, and customers were transported safely to the terminal by bus,” the statement read. 

“The aircraft has been taken out of service to be inspected by our maintenance team. We thank our team members for their professionalism, and we apologize to our customers for their experience.”

The FAA said its information was preliminary and subject to change and that it will investigate the incident.

Just over three hours later, the crew of United Airlines Flight 739 reported a blown tire after landing safely at O’Hare around 5:15 p.m., according to the FAA.

The Airbus A320 was traveling from Omaha, Nebraska, to Chicago with 121 passengers and five crew members aboard, United Airlines confirmed to News Media.

“After arriving at Chicago O’Hare, United flight 739 sustained tire damage. Customers deplaned via airstairs and buses took them back to the terminal,” a spokesperson for the airline said.

United said there were no reported injuries.

The FAA said it will also investigate the United incident and cautioned that its information was preliminary and subject to change.

The incidents add to a recent series of tire problems involving commercial flights in Chicago.

Less than a week earlier, another United Airlines plane reported blown tires and aborted a takeoff at O’Hare.

Earlier this month, Southwest Airlines Flight 1243 blew a tire after landing at Chicago Midway International Airport at about 6:45 a.m. on Aug. 3, according to the FAA.

The Southwest Boeing 737 had departed from Southwest Florida International Airport. The FAA also opened an investigation into that incident.

No injuries were reported in the Midway incident.

Monday’s incidents occurred during a busy summer travel season at O’Hare. The FAA said earlier this year that more than 3,080 flights were planned at the airport on peak days during the summer 2026 travel season, a 14.9% increase from the previous summer’s peak-day schedule.

The agency subsequently imposed limits on scheduled operations at O’Hare in an effort to reduce delays and manage operational constraints at the airport.

News Media also reached out to the Chicago Department of Aviation for additional information about Monday’s incidents and any impact on airport operations.