Flight From SFO to Rome Diverted to Iceland For Mechanical Issue

United Airlines Flight 507 from San Francisco to Rome diverted to Iceland after a mechanical issue forced an emergency landing eight hours into the flight. The Boeing 777-200ER jet, which has been in service since 1999, descended suddenly to 21,000 feet, prompting the crew to issue a distress signal. It landed safely at Keflavik International Airport, where all 275 passengers and 14 crew members deplaned without injury. United Airlines stated it would arrange hotel accommodations and a new flight to Rome for the affected passengers. The airline has not yet revealed the source of the mechanical issue, raising questions about safety protocols.

This incident is part of a concerning trend, as multiple United flights have faced emergency diversions in recent months due to maintenance issues. Earlier this month, two flights from San Francisco were diverted for similar reasons, and a flight from LAX to Shanghai had to turn back because the pilot forgot his passport. Such incidents highlight ongoing challenges within United's operational safety and reliability.