United Flight’s Plunge Toward the Ocean Was Caused by Pilot Error, NTSB Says

Federal investigators have determined that a United Airlines flight that came within 748 feet of crashing into the Pacific Ocean in 2022 was the result of pilot error, according to a newly published final report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

The incident involved United Airlines flight 1722, a Boeing 777, which occurred shortly after departing Hawaii’s Kahului Airport on December 18. The flight was bound for San Francisco with 271 passengers on board. The NTSB’s report states that the primary cause of the incident was “the flight crew’s failure to manage the aeroplane’s vertical flightpath.” This failure was attributed to a potential “miscommunication” between the two pilots regarding the position of the plane’s wing flaps.

According to the report, confusion arose over the setting of the 777’s flaps, which are typically adjusted during takeoff and climb. The captain, who was flying the aircraft at an altitude of 2,100 feet, requested a reduction in the flap setting to “flaps 5.” However, the first officer reportedly misheard the command as “flaps 15.”

In response to this miscommunication, the captain began descending and decelerating due to concerns about the extended flaps. The situation escalated when cockpit alarms sounded, leading to both pilots hearing the ground proximity warning system (GPWS) warnings and the first officer announcing “pull up pull up.”

Passenger Rod Williams II described the incident to CNN, recounting the terrifying moments when the plane appeared to be flying normally before abruptly climbing at an alarming rate. The plane then entered a “dramatic, nose-down” dive for about eight to ten seconds before stabilizing.

United Airlines confirmed that it conducted an investigation in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the pilots union. The airline implemented additional training for the pilots involved and has since updated its training procedures to enhance flight path management awareness.

The incident prompted United Airlines to revise its training practices and undertake an awareness campaign to ensure the safety of its operations. Both pilots received supplementary training and continue to operate flights for the airline.