Emergency landing at Charleston airport due to engine issues prompts passenger evacuation

The aircraft involved is an 11-year-old Embraer with serial number 17000414, older than United Express' fleet average of around 7.5 years for their E175s. Speculation about engine failure causes based solely on age is premature given current information limitations.

United Airlines plans upgrades for its regional jets this year, including installing Starlink in-flight Wi-Fi on up to 40 planes monthly. The FAA approved these modifications in April via a Supplemental Type Certificate for Embraer 175s to add Starlink receivers offering speeds up to 250 Mbps—50 times faster than existing technology.

Starlink's aviation appeal lies in its ready-to-use system and lighter weight compared to competitors', which helps carriers save fuel costs. Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Qatar Airways are among major adopters showing global interest.

Mesa Air Shuttle operates an all-Embraer fleet of ERJ-175 jets—58 active and six parked—for a total of 64 according to Planespotters data. This uniformity simplifies maintenance and crew operations aiding profitability.

Mesa supports smaller communities by connecting them through subsidiary operations like these flights for major U.S carriers while maintaining air service across broader networks without adding fleet complexity or supply chain issues common among mainline operators.

Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Mesa’s network includes destinations in Cuba, Mexico, Canada along with U.S locations; primary hubs are Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).