United Airlines jet blocks Orlando runway after landing issue; passengers bused as FAA orders temporary halt

Incident on arrival from Chicago triggers ground stop and ground delay at Orlando International Airport

A United Airlines flight arriving at Orlando International Airport experienced an issue during landing on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, leaving the aircraft unable to clear the runway under its own power and prompting air traffic restrictions while crews worked the scene.

The flight, United 2323, had departed Chicago O’Hare and landed in Orlando shortly after midday. United said the aircraft encountered a “mechanical issue” upon landing. The airline reported 200 passengers and six crew members were on board and that no injuries were reported.

With the aircraft blocking the runway, passengers were taken from the airplane to the terminal by bus. Airport rescue and fire units responded to support passenger offloading and secure the area until the aircraft could be moved.

What is known about aircraft movement and airport impacts

Air traffic controls implemented a temporary ground stop for Orlando International Airport during the response. The restriction was later adjusted into a ground delay program as crews continued clearing the aircraft and normalizing runway operations. Such measures are used to manage arriving and departing traffic when runway access is constrained.

Publicly shared video from the airfield shows the aircraft touching down and then jolting during the landing roll, with an object appearing to separate and roll away from the front landing gear area. United has not publicly specified what component was involved or what mechanical failure occurred, and there was no official on-scene confirmation of the exact part visible in the footage.

Weather and safety follow-up

The landing occurred amid reported wet and windy conditions in the Orlando area. While adverse weather can increase landing complexity, investigators typically assess multiple factors in runway incidents, including aircraft systems, maintenance history, operational procedures, and environmental conditions at the time of landing.

Federal aviation authorities routinely review incidents involving runway blockages and potential aircraft component failures. As of Monday, Jan. 19, no public determination had been issued on the cause of the landing issue, and United had not provided additional technical detail beyond confirming the mechanical problem and passenger handling steps.

• Date and location: Jan. 18, 2026, Orlando International Airport
• Flight details: United 2323, Chicago O’Hare to Orlando
• People onboard: 200 passengers and six crew; no reported injuries
• Operational impact: runway blockage; temporary ground stop later changed to ground delay

United said its team was working to remove the aircraft from the runway and that passengers were transported to the terminal by bus.