Flight UA-1513 | Registration: N13718
Date: 3 April 2025 | Location: Near Washington Dulles International Airport (KIAD), USA
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Introduction
On 3 April 2025, a United Airlines Boeing 737-700, registration N13718, operating as flight UA-1513 from Key West International Airport (EYW), Florida, to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), New Jersey, was forced to divert to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) following reports of a fire in the cabin. The aircraft was cruising at FL380 approximately 90 nautical miles south of Washington, DC, when the crew declared an emergency.
The aircraft made a safe landing on runway 19L at Washington Dulles approximately 20 minutes after the diversion was initiated. Passengers were safely deplaned, and no injuries were reported.
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Flight Details
• Aircraft Type: Boeing 737-724
• Engines: 2 × CFM56-7B24
• Operator: United Airlines
• Tail Number: N13718
• Flight Number: UA-1513
• Callsign: UNITED 1513
• Date of Occurrence: 3 April 2025
• Origin Airport: Key West International Airport (EYW), Florida
• Planned Destination: Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), New Jersey
• Diversion Airport: Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Virginia
• Occupants: Not specified (typical B737-700 configuration approx. 143)
• Phase of Flight: Cruise (FL380)
• Time of Diversion: Approx. 16:25 local (20:25Z)
• Landing Time: Approx. 16:45 local (20:45Z)
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Sequence of Events
Approximately 90 nautical miles south of Washington, DC, while cruising at 38,000 feet, the flight crew detected indications of smoke and/or fire originating from the aft cabin area. United Airlines later confirmed the source was light smoke emanating from an aft galley oven, indicating a possible electrical fault or localised overheating within the appliance.
The crew immediately declared an emergency and coordinated with Washington Dulles ATC for priority handling. A diversion was executed with descent initiated promptly. The aircraft was safely landed on runway 19L at Washington Dulles just 20 minutes after the emergency was declared. Emergency services met the aircraft on arrival.
No injuries were reported, and the situation was brought under control on the ground.
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Cabin Fire Risk and Response
Cabin fires—particularly those originating from galley equipment—present significant in-flight hazards due to the confined environment, risk of rapid smoke propagation, and potential electrical failures. In this case, the crew’s timely identification and response prevented escalation.
Typical procedures in such events include:
• Donning protective breathing equipment (PBE)
• Isolating power to the affected galley circuit
• Using onboard halon fire extinguishers if flames are visible
• Relocating passengers and preparing for immediate diversion
The aircraft’s smoke detection systems likely alerted the crew, supplemented by crew observation or passenger reporting. Cabin crew procedures in these cases are governed by strict FAA and airline SOPs, which were reportedly followed successfully.
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FAA and Airline Statements
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a statement confirming:
“United Airlines Flight 1513 landed safely at Washington Dulles International Airport around 4:45 p.m. local time Thursday, April 3, after the crew reported a fire in the cabin.”
The airline clarified that light smoke was detected from the aft galley oven, and no active fire was observed once on the ground.
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Aircraft Status and Passenger Recovery
• Original Aircraft Status: As of 4 April 2025, aircraft N13718 remains grounded at Washington Dulles for inspection and maintenance.
• Passenger Reaccommodation: A replacement Boeing 737-9 MAX, registration N37510, was dispatched to complete the journey to Newark.
• Delay: Arrival in Newark was delayed by approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes.
Maintenance teams are conducting a full evaluation of the galley electrical systems and the oven appliance involved in the incident. Any components involved in the smoke event will be removed and examined for thermal damage or electrical faults.
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Safety Considerations and Investigation
Galley oven malfunctions are not unprecedented and are often attributed to:
• Electrical arcing
• Faulty thermostats
• Component fatigue or overheating
Although classified as a minor cabin fire, any smoke or fire at cruise altitude is a Category B emergency requiring prompt diversion. The FAA will continue its investigation, likely focusing on:
• Oven manufacturer specifications and compliance history
• Electrical circuit load and maintenance logs
• Airline maintenance record for that oven unit and aircraft zone
As part of standard procedure, United Airlines will review:
• Cabin crew response protocols
• In-flight fire mitigation SOPs
• Equipment inspection intervals for galley units
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Conclusion
The incident on United Airlines flight UA-1513 demonstrates the importance of robust cabin safety protocols and flight crew vigilance. A potential cabin fire at cruising altitude poses a serious threat; however, the rapid and effective actions taken by the crew ensured the situation was contained with no injuries or damage beyond the suspected equipment fault.
The incident remains under investigation by the FAA.
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Disclaimer
This report is based on publicly available information and official statements as of 4 April 2025. Details may be subject to change as investigations progress. If you are the rightful owner of any content or images referenced and wish them to be removed, please contact takedown@cockpitking.com.
