The Harrowing Flight of United Airlines Flight 1175: A Tale of Crisis and Courage
On February 13, 2018, a seemingly perfect day unfolded over San Francisco. Captain Christopher Benham, a seasoned pilot with an impressive flight history, was preparing for a routine trip from San Francisco to Honolulu aboard a United Airlines Boeing 777. With over 13,600 hours of flying experience including extensive time on various Boeing models, Benham was no stranger to the skies. This particular flight, however, would transform from a routine departure to a life-or-death emergency, testing the limits of a pilot’s training and ingenuity.
As Captain Benham arrived at the crew room, he met First Officer Paul AER, who, despite their lack of previous cooperation, quickly found common ground as they prepared for the flight. AER, an experienced pilot nearing 11,300 hours of flight time, was flying to Honolulu for only the second time. Both pilots performed their pre-flight checks and safely completed a briefing with the cabin crew, setting the stage for a smooth takeoff with 364 passengers onboard.
The Boeing 777—a magnificent aircraft—was equipped with Pratt & Whitney 4000 series engines noted for their large diameter fans, designed for fuel efficiency. Yet, unbeknownst to the flight crew, one of the fan blades bore a hidden flaw that would soon threaten the lives of everyone onboard.
Once cleared for takeoff, the aircraft ascended into the clear skies, and for more than three hours, everything proceeded without incident. Communication and position reports were exchanged between the flight deck and air traffic control, allowing the pilots to focus on routine paperwork and chatter about previous flights and personal lives.
But approximately 200 nautical miles from Honolulu, as the pilots prepared for descent, disaster struck. An internal crack in one of the fan blades, previously undetected during inspections, finally reached its breaking point. In a catastrophic turn of events, the fan blade shattered, causing a violent explosion and resulting in an immediate loss of control of the aircraft.
The separation of the fan blade unleashed an uncontrollable force that literally shook the aircraft and sent it into a dangerous roll. Captain Benham, with unwavering instinct and professionalism, quickly assumed manual control while acknowledging his First Officer’s confusion. Amidst alarming vibrations and a severe deceleration, the pilots struggled to diagnose the problem. Initially mistaken for an inflight collision, the situation intensified as instruments began to fail, and they finally realized the true extent of their plight—a severe engine failure.
As they dealt with extreme turbulence and the threat of an engine stall, the pilots prioritized safety, relying heavily on years of training and quick thinking. Captain Benham’s calm leadership and the considerable skills of First Officer Paul enabled the crew to practice effective crew resource management as they focused on three key directives: aviate, navigate, and communicate.
Navigating Towards Safety
Once the gravity of their predicament was assessed, the crew set their course toward Honolulu, coordinating an emergency descent while managing the remaining operational engine. Passengers were oblivious to the chaotic scenes unfolding in the cockpit initially but soon the fear and chaos of the situation would impact everyone onboard.
The pilots communicated their emergency status to air traffic control, sharing the number of souls onboard and requesting emergency preparations as they began a steep descent. Captain Benham's leadership permitted the crew to work together seamlessly; he focused solely on controlling the aircraft while First Officer Paul and a jump-seat pilot, Ed Garin, were tasked with monitoring checklists and maintaining communication with the cabin crew.
Ed’s earlier training requirements significantly aided the situation—he effectively fulfilled the role of a third pilot, guiding procedures amidst a calamity.
In a stride for calm under pressure, Captain Benham communicated with the cabin crew, briefing them on the situation and preparing them for a potential emergency landing. In an exemplary show of leadership, he kept his team informed, ensuring that the cabin was prepared for any scenario.
As the aircraft approached Honolulu, conditions remained dire. With guts and determination, the crew had to conduct a manual approach under challenging circumstances, contending with potential structural damage to the aircraft. Nonetheless, as the plane broke through the cloud coverage, the runway loomed ahead.
Flaps were deployed, and the aircraft maintained speed as the pilots maneuvered it onto the runway. A sense of collective focus persisted, with Captain Benham gently guiding the aircraft while First Officer Paul monitored altitudes and speeds, with Ed providing critical navigational guidance.
A Smooth Landing Against All Odds
At 12:37 PM, United Airlines Flight 1175 successfully touched down on solid ground, producing a gentle landing that belied the chaos of the last hour. Overjoyed passengers and crew members erupted in cheers as the pilots navigated the plane to a complete stop. The ingenuity and collaborative spirit of those onboard had prevailed, leading them to safety against insurmountable odds.
In the aftermath of the incident, the crew recognized the importance of following proper channels—their immediate focus shifted to emergency protocols as they communicated with ground services and awaited post-flight assessments.
Aftermath and Reflection
An investigation later revealed that a fatigue crack had weakened the engine's fan blade, highlighting failures within the thermal acoustic imaging inspection processes. This incident led to crucial improvements in inspection standards and provided a wealth of training material for other pilots and airline personnel.
Captain Benham and First Officer Paul AER received accolades for their exemplary performance under pressure, demonstrating in the most visceral way the principles of effective teamwork and decisive leadership. The harrowing experience would shape their careers and remain a significant part of aviation training programs worldwide.
Captain Christopher Benham’s final commercial flight in August 2024 marked the culmination of a successful career, distinguished by not only his impressive flight hours but also his exceptional handling of crisis situations. The lessons learned during the flight of United Airlines 1175 continue to resonate within the aviation community, reminding everyone of the vital role of preparedness, communication, and leadership in navigating challenges at the highest levels.
Ultimately, this tale of resilience and courage embodies the spirit of aviation—a reminder that even amid turbulence and uncertainty, quick thinking and teamwork can lead to a safe landing.
Part 1/11:
The Harrowing Flight of United Airlines Flight 1175: A Tale of Crisis and Courage
On February 13, 2018, a seemingly perfect day unfolded over San Francisco. Captain Christopher Benham, a seasoned pilot with an impressive flight history, was preparing for a routine trip from San Francisco to Honolulu aboard a United Airlines Boeing 777. With over 13,600 hours of flying experience including extensive time on various Boeing models, Benham was no stranger to the skies. This particular flight, however, would transform from a routine departure to a life-or-death emergency, testing the limits of a pilot’s training and ingenuity.
Early Flight Preparations
Part 2/11:
As Captain Benham arrived at the crew room, he met First Officer Paul AER, who, despite their lack of previous cooperation, quickly found common ground as they prepared for the flight. AER, an experienced pilot nearing 11,300 hours of flight time, was flying to Honolulu for only the second time. Both pilots performed their pre-flight checks and safely completed a briefing with the cabin crew, setting the stage for a smooth takeoff with 364 passengers onboard.
The Boeing 777—a magnificent aircraft—was equipped with Pratt & Whitney 4000 series engines noted for their large diameter fans, designed for fuel efficiency. Yet, unbeknownst to the flight crew, one of the fan blades bore a hidden flaw that would soon threaten the lives of everyone onboard.
The Calm Before the Storm
Part 3/11:
Once cleared for takeoff, the aircraft ascended into the clear skies, and for more than three hours, everything proceeded without incident. Communication and position reports were exchanged between the flight deck and air traffic control, allowing the pilots to focus on routine paperwork and chatter about previous flights and personal lives.
But approximately 200 nautical miles from Honolulu, as the pilots prepared for descent, disaster struck. An internal crack in one of the fan blades, previously undetected during inspections, finally reached its breaking point. In a catastrophic turn of events, the fan blade shattered, causing a violent explosion and resulting in an immediate loss of control of the aircraft.
Catastrophic Engine Failure
Part 4/11:
The separation of the fan blade unleashed an uncontrollable force that literally shook the aircraft and sent it into a dangerous roll. Captain Benham, with unwavering instinct and professionalism, quickly assumed manual control while acknowledging his First Officer’s confusion. Amidst alarming vibrations and a severe deceleration, the pilots struggled to diagnose the problem. Initially mistaken for an inflight collision, the situation intensified as instruments began to fail, and they finally realized the true extent of their plight—a severe engine failure.
Part 5/11:
As they dealt with extreme turbulence and the threat of an engine stall, the pilots prioritized safety, relying heavily on years of training and quick thinking. Captain Benham’s calm leadership and the considerable skills of First Officer Paul enabled the crew to practice effective crew resource management as they focused on three key directives: aviate, navigate, and communicate.
Navigating Towards Safety
Once the gravity of their predicament was assessed, the crew set their course toward Honolulu, coordinating an emergency descent while managing the remaining operational engine. Passengers were oblivious to the chaotic scenes unfolding in the cockpit initially but soon the fear and chaos of the situation would impact everyone onboard.
Part 6/11:
The pilots communicated their emergency status to air traffic control, sharing the number of souls onboard and requesting emergency preparations as they began a steep descent. Captain Benham's leadership permitted the crew to work together seamlessly; he focused solely on controlling the aircraft while First Officer Paul and a jump-seat pilot, Ed Garin, were tasked with monitoring checklists and maintaining communication with the cabin crew.
Ed’s earlier training requirements significantly aided the situation—he effectively fulfilled the role of a third pilot, guiding procedures amidst a calamity.
The Approach to Landing
Part 7/11:
In a stride for calm under pressure, Captain Benham communicated with the cabin crew, briefing them on the situation and preparing them for a potential emergency landing. In an exemplary show of leadership, he kept his team informed, ensuring that the cabin was prepared for any scenario.
As the aircraft approached Honolulu, conditions remained dire. With guts and determination, the crew had to conduct a manual approach under challenging circumstances, contending with potential structural damage to the aircraft. Nonetheless, as the plane broke through the cloud coverage, the runway loomed ahead.
Part 8/11:
Flaps were deployed, and the aircraft maintained speed as the pilots maneuvered it onto the runway. A sense of collective focus persisted, with Captain Benham gently guiding the aircraft while First Officer Paul monitored altitudes and speeds, with Ed providing critical navigational guidance.
A Smooth Landing Against All Odds
At 12:37 PM, United Airlines Flight 1175 successfully touched down on solid ground, producing a gentle landing that belied the chaos of the last hour. Overjoyed passengers and crew members erupted in cheers as the pilots navigated the plane to a complete stop. The ingenuity and collaborative spirit of those onboard had prevailed, leading them to safety against insurmountable odds.
Part 9/11:
In the aftermath of the incident, the crew recognized the importance of following proper channels—their immediate focus shifted to emergency protocols as they communicated with ground services and awaited post-flight assessments.
Aftermath and Reflection
An investigation later revealed that a fatigue crack had weakened the engine's fan blade, highlighting failures within the thermal acoustic imaging inspection processes. This incident led to crucial improvements in inspection standards and provided a wealth of training material for other pilots and airline personnel.
Part 10/11:
Captain Benham and First Officer Paul AER received accolades for their exemplary performance under pressure, demonstrating in the most visceral way the principles of effective teamwork and decisive leadership. The harrowing experience would shape their careers and remain a significant part of aviation training programs worldwide.
Conclusion
Part 11/11:
Captain Christopher Benham’s final commercial flight in August 2024 marked the culmination of a successful career, distinguished by not only his impressive flight hours but also his exceptional handling of crisis situations. The lessons learned during the flight of United Airlines 1175 continue to resonate within the aviation community, reminding everyone of the vital role of preparedness, communication, and leadership in navigating challenges at the highest levels.
Ultimately, this tale of resilience and courage embodies the spirit of aviation—a reminder that even amid turbulence and uncertainty, quick thinking and teamwork can lead to a safe landing.