United Airlines flight 803 from Dulles to Tokyo forced to make emergency landing after engine failure, fire

A United Airlines flight has been forced to make an emergency landing after an engine failed and a fire broke out.

United Airlines flight 803 departed Dulles International Airport, Virginia, travelling to Tokyo, Japan, on Saturday afternoon, when an engine on the Boeing plane failed during takeoff.

A piece of the engine broke off, sparking a brush fire along the runway.

As firefighting crews arrived to control the blaze, the pilot prepared for an emergency landing, with the plane seen dumping large amounts of fuel over nearby paddocks.

The plane, a Boeing 777-200, was carrying 275 passengers and 15 crew.

The pilot was able to land the plane safely.

United Airlines, in a statement, said there were no injuries to report and that it was now assisting customers to their destination.

US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said he had been briefed on the issue and thanked the first responders for their prompt work in extinguishing the blaze and landing the plane safely.

Mr Duffy confirmed the FAA is investigating.