November 8, 2024
United Express ERJ-175 Returns to Chicago Due to Smoke in the Cockpit

United Express ERJ-175 Returns to Chicago Due to Smoke in the Cockpit

A United Express ERJ-175 departing for Indianapolis returned to Chicago after reporting smoke in the cockpit shortly after takeoff on 3 October.
Eric Salard, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A United Express Embraer ERJ-175 departing for Indianapolis, IN returned to Chicago after reporting smoke in the cockpit on 3 October 2024.

Flight UA3707, operated by a Republic Airways Embraer ERJ-175 on behalf of United Airlines, had conducted a departure from runway 10L Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD).

United Express UA3707 Chicago-Indianapolis


Flight track of United Express UA3707 showing return to Chicago.

During the initial climb after takeoff, flight crew reported the presence of smoke in the cockpit. As a result, the climb was terminated and a direct return to the origin airport was conducted.

The aircraft landed without further incident on runway 10L just under 15 minutes after its initial departure.

A subsequent FAA report confirmed that the flight had departed at around 0820pm local time, and reported possible smoke in the cockpit shortly after takeoff. The in-flight incident will now become the subject of an FAA investigation.

Flight Details


Flight data shows that flight UA3707 had made a departure from Chicago O’Hare International Airport at 0811 local time. The flight was still in the initial stages of climb when flight crew terminated the procedure at 5000 feet. A direct return to Chicago was then carried out.

The aircraft conducting the UA3707 service to Indianapolis International Airport on behalf of United Airlines was in Embraer ERJ-175, registered N742YX. This is a 7.5 year old regional aircraft belonging to the carrier United Express. It is presently operated by Republic Airways.

Eric Salard, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The aircraft has been operational service with the airline since its initial delivery in May 2017.

Republic Airways is a regional airline based in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. It operates and maintains aircraft used on flights that are scheduled, marketed, and sold by a partner mainline airline. The company is contracted by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines.  

Here’s a brief overview of Republic Airways:

  • Regional airline: It operates shorter flights to smaller cities, often connecting passengers to larger hubs.
  • Contracted by major airlines: Republic Airways does not operate flights under its own name but rather provides services for American Eagle, Delta Connection, and United Express.

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