United plane’s tires blow when takeoff halted from Houston

HOUSTON (AP) – A United Airlines plane blew out two of its tires when a pilot abruptly stopped its takeoff from a Houston airport due to concerns about a possible mechanical problem.

Airport officials say the Boeing 737 was taking off from Bush Intercontinental Airport to Denver at around 6 a.m. Monday when the plane’s crew spotted a possible mechanical malfunction and the pilot slammed the brakes.

Two of the plane’s tires blew out as the aircraft came to a stop.

No injuries were reported among the 164 passengers and six crew members.

Passengers got off the plane, were taken back to a terminal and later boarded another aircraft that left for Denver.

It was not immediately known what mechanical problem the plane might have experienced.