Was United Airlines Flight UA108 a close call?

**United Airlines Flight UA108 was not a close call.** While it experienced a critical engine failure shortly after takeoff, the pilots managed the situation effectively, ensuring a safe emergency landing. 1. **Engine Failure**: The flight, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operated by United Airlines, encountered a left engine failure while climbing to an altitude of 5,000 feet. 2. **Mayday Declaration**: The pilots promptly declared a "Mayday" emergency, initiating a holding pattern at 6,000 feet for 2 hours and 38 minutes to safely dump fuel and reduce the aircraft’s weight before landing. 3. **Fuel Dump and Holding Pattern**: The pilots coordinated with air traffic controllers to drain off fuel while in the holding pattern, a standard procedure to reduce the aircraft's weight for landing. 4. **Emergency Landing**: The aircraft landed safely back at Washington Dulles Airport, with no injuries reported. 5. **Investigation**: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are conducting comprehensive investigations into the engine failure. The incident was handled professionally, and the outcome was not a close call, as the term is typically used to describe situations that have the potential for more serious consequences but do not result in injury or damage. In this case, the pilots' quick response and adherence to emergency procedures ensured a safe return.