Frightening
Terrifying Video: United Jet’s Wheel Comes Off During Stormy Orlando Landing | WATCH
A United Airlines Airbus A321neo lost a wheel during a turbulent touchdown in Orlando yesterday. See the shocking footage and read how the crew handled the terrifying mechanical failure on Flight UA2323.
A United Airlines passenger jet narrowly escaped a more serious mishap yesterday (Sunday) when its nose wheel detached during a turbulent landing at Orlando International Airport (MCO), triggering a temporary ground stop and stranding the plane on the runway.
Operating from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD), airbus UA2323 departed around 8:55 a.m. CST and touched down at MCO shortly after 12:30 p.m. EST on January 18, 2026.
Eyewitness videos circulating on social media capture the dramatic moment: The plane bounces hard on the runway amid gusty winds reaching up to 54 mph, before the right nose wheel shears off and rolls away.
The jet came to a safe stop, but the detached wheel left it unable to taxi, blocking the runway and prompting the FAA to issue a ground stop that caused delays for other flights.
United Airlines confirmed the "mechanical issue" in a statement, noting that passengers were safely deplaned and bused to the terminal while crews worked to remove the aircraft.
"Our team is working to get the plane off the runway," the airline said, emphasizing that safety remains their top priority. The FAA has launched a probe into what caused the wheel to detach, with experts pointing to possible factors like the extreme crosswinds or excessive stress on the landing gear during the botched touchdown.
This isn't the first time United has dealt with wheel issues – similar incidents have occurred in the past, often linked to hard landings or manufacturing flaws – but aviation analysts say the stormy weather at MCO likely played a key role here.
Orlando, a major hub for tourists heading to Disney World and other attractions, sees heavy traffic, and the ground stop disrupted operations during a busy weekend.
The airport has returned to normal, but the FAA's investigation could lead to broader checks on Airbus A321neo fleets. United has not yet commented on potential causes or timeline for the probe's results. Passengers praised the crew's calm handling of the situation, with one telling local media it felt like "a rollercoaster, but we walked away fine."