After Tires Blow Out at O'Hare, United Flight Aborts Takeoff

A United flight's sprint down the runway at Chicago O'Hare ended with a jolt Thursday when the jet "safely aborted takeoff" after multiple tires failed, federal officials say, per NBC News. Passengers on the Boeing 737-900 bound for Phoenix deplaned via stairs on the runway and were bused back to the terminal, reports ABC News.

Air traffic control audio captured another pilot describing "lots of chunks of tire going down the runway." Rescue crews later reported two blown tires on the right main landing gear. United said all 161 passengers and six crew members were uninjured and that a replacement aircraft would complete the trip to Phoenix later in the day. The Federal Aviation Administration has opened an investigation.