- American Airlines Flight 386 blew two tires during landing at Chicago O’Hare on August 17, 2026.
- Approximately 180 passengers and crew evacuated via mobile stairs and shuttle buses without any injuries.
- Federal investigators are examining the aircraft’s maintenance and runway conditions following two similar incidents at the airport.
American Airlines Flight 386 blew two tires after landing safely at Chicago O’Hare on Monday, sending approximately 180 passengers and crew to the terminal by bus. No injuries were reported.
The flight arrived from New York LaGuardia at approximately 1:59 p.m. CDT on August 17, 2026. It was operated by a Boeing 737-800 registered as N844NN.
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Passengers left the aircraft on the taxiway using mobile stairs before boarding shuttle buses. First responders met the plane as a precaution.
The aircraft was removed from service for inspection. The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the incident.
American Airlines described the event in a statement released after the landing:
“American Airlines flight 386 experienced a tire issue after landing safely at Chicago (ORD). Per procedure, first responders met the aircraft out of an abundance of caution and customers were transported safely to the terminal by bus.”
The airline also said, “We thank our team members for their professionalism and we apologize to our customers for their experience.”
The FAA said the crew reported two blown tires after landing around 2 p.m. local time. The agency’s review will examine the circumstances surrounding the tire failures.
The response closed a runway but kept delays below 15 minutes
The tire failures prompted a full emergency response and temporarily closed a runway. Airport delays averaged less than 15 minutes during the busiest part of the response.
Chicago Fire Department officials found no evidence of fire or structural damage to the aircraft’s wings or engines. The passengers and crew remained safe while ground teams moved them to the terminal.
Maintenance teams took the plane out of service for inspection. The aircraft carried a special “FIFA World Cup 2026” livery and is 16 years old.
Investigators are examining several possible contributors, including debris on the runway, maintenance-related problems and conditions during touchdown. Those possibilities remain part of the review, not established findings.
The FAA gave this account of the incident:
“The crew of American Airlines Flight 386 from New York-LaGuardia reported two blown tires after landing at O'Hare around 2 p.m. local time. The FAA will investigate.”
Another United aircraft suffered tire damage at the airport
A United Airlines flight arriving from Omaha also blew a tire at the airport on August 17, only hours after the American landing. That was the second tire-related incident at O’Hare in less than a week.
The earlier case occurred on Thursday, August 13, 2026. United Airlines Flight 455, a Boeing 737-900, aborted its takeoff after blowing two main landing gear tires.
The two United incidents involved different phases of flight. The August 13 aircraft rejected its departure, while the August 17 flight experienced tire damage after landing.
The incidents unfolded during a public dispute over summer operations at the airport. American Airlines executives described United’s summer 2026 scheduling as “reckless,” alleging that “flooding the zone” with departures strained O'Hare's infrastructure.
That dispute concerns airport scheduling. The FAA’s review of the American aircraft will focus on the tire failures and the conditions surrounding its landing.
The aircraft remained out of service for inspection
The plane stayed out of service while maintenance teams examined it. The inspection followed an airport response that used mobile stairs and buses rather than moving passengers directly into the terminal through the usual process.
The landing involved approximately 180 people, including passengers and crew. Officials reported zero injuries, and responders found no fire or structural damage involving the wings or engines.
The aircraft’s registration, N844NN, identifies the 16-year-old jet involved in the inspection. Its FIFA World Cup 2026 paint scheme also distinguished it from other aircraft operating the route.
The FAA investigation will assess the evidence connected to the two failed tires. The aircraft’s inspection remains the next documented step after the landing incident.
