United Flight 2078, en route from Houston to Phoenix, declared an emergency and diverted to Luke Air Force Base on Monday evening after encountering severe weather that disrupted air traffic. The plane, carrying 154 passengers and six crew members, was low on fuel when it landed at the base at 8:45 p.m. local time.
The diversion occurred after Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport shut down due to the storm. The pilot attempted to divert to Goodyear Airport, a nearby commercial airport, but was informed that its runway was too short to accommodate the aircraft safely. Air traffic control then suggested Luke Air Force Base, a facility not typically used for commercial landings.
"If you're an emergency, you're an emergency," the controller reportedly told the pilot.
After declaring an emergency, the flight circled for nearly an hour, with flight data indicating it made three loops before landing at the military installation. Passengers reported that the aircraft was maneuvering in a way that raised concerns.
"I said: 'Well, something's not right,'" passenger Gina Sullivan told AZ Family. "Next thing you know, we land, and I'm like: 'Well, this is not Phoenix.'"
Upon landing, passengers were not allowed to disembark and remained on the plane for approximately two hours. They were eventually bused to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Another passenger, Damian Bruno, noted on Facebook that while the Air Force was initially displeased with the unexpected civilian presence, they ultimately assisted in resolving the situation. He also alluded to seeing "interesting hardware" at the base.
Luke Air Force Base has not yet commented on the incident. A United Airlines spokesperson stated that the landing at the military base was the "safest course of action" and described the event as "uneventful." The airline expressed gratitude to the Air Force and its teams at Phoenix Sky Harbor for facilitating a resolution for the passengers.
The aircraft was later flown back to Sky Harbor on Tuesday. The incident highlights the challenges faced by aviation during severe weather events and the contingency measures available when primary and secondary landing sites are compromised.