All 181 Aboard Treated After United Flight Suffers Pressurization Problems After Takeoff

First responders treated all 181 passengers and crew aboard a United Airlines flight from Chicago to Denver after the plane made an emergency at landing at O’ Hare following “pressurization issues” on Tuesday.

United Airlines Flight 1218, bound from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Denver International Airport (DEN), experienced pressurization issues shortly after takeoff on Tuesday. CNN reports that the Boeing 737-900 encountered problems when it reached an altitude of 15,000 feet above sea level, forcing the captain to drop the plane below 10,000 feet — an altitude at which cabin pressurization is not necessary — before returning to ORD to make an emergency landing.

United spokeswoman Karen May confirmed details of the incident in a statement to CNN. “The flight landed safely, and we requested paramedics meet the flight to assist a few customers who reported feeling ill,” said May, adding that the plane is being inspected by maintenance workers and the airline is working to accommodate passengers who were scheduled to arrive in Denver Tuesday afternoon.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident.

CNN reports that the aircraft involved in the incident is nearly brand new, with records showing that United took delivery of the plane from Boeing in March 2014.

Ambulances, EMTs and firefighters met the flight when it landed at ORD. The first responders evaluated each of the 174 passengers and seven crew members onboard, reports CBS Chicago, including seven individuals who reported suffering nausea and ear pain. According to the Chicago Fire Department, none of the injuries were considered serious enough to require hospitalization.

[Photo: CBS]