United Airlines Flight 1722 Incident Prompts NTSB Investigation
San Francisco, CA – On Dec. 18, 2022, United Airlines flight 1722 had a terrifying moment during its journey from Maui to San Francisco. The aircraft suddenly plummeted to just 748 feet above the Pacific Ocean before quickly climbing back to its proper elevation. Despite the frightening experience, the plane managed to land safely at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
However, it wasn’t until February 14, nearly two months later, that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced its decision to conduct an investigation. United Airlines did not immediately report the incident to the NTSB due to the absence of damages or injuries.
One of the challenges faced by the NTSB in its investigation was the fact that the recorders on board had captured additional flight data from subsequent trips. Consequently, the agency heavily relied on flight crew statements and other available records.
According to the report, the ground controller had initially informed the pilots about the adverse weather conditions, which included heavy rain and strong winds. In response, the captain decided to set the flaps on the plane to a configuration suitable for flying in such conditions. However, after encountering turbulence, the captain instructed the first officer to reduce the flap setting to “flap five.” Unfortunately, due to a miscommunication, the first officer heard “flap 15” instead. This misunderstanding resulted in an increase in speed and a subsequent nosedive.
“The flight crew’s failure to manage the airplane’s vertical flight path, airspeed, and pitch attitude following a miscommunication about the captain’s desired flap setting during the initial climb” was identified as the probable cause of the incident, according to the report.
The Air Current, an aviation-focused publication, reported that sources claimed both pilots were relatively new to flying a Boeing 777, the aircraft involved in the incident.
In response to the incident, United Airlines stated that it is using the lessons learned to enhance the training of all its pilots. The airline has also confirmed that the pilots involved in the incident were required to undergo additional training.
As the NTSB investigation continues, United Airlines is determined to prioritize safety and ensure incidents like these do not occur in the future.