Arizona Watcher
United Airlines Flight 2078 departed George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston at about 7:49 p.m. local time bound for Phoenix Sky Harbor.
Crews encountered severe thunderstorms, heavy rain and high winds near Phoenix; local reports said monsoon gusts reached about 68 mph, making Sky Harbor landings unsafe.
While holding near Phoenix the crew declared a minimum fuel emergency with reserves running low, prompting a decision to divert to the nearest suitable field.
About an hour after takeoff the Boeing 737-900 (registration N71411) landed safely at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale at roughly 8:49 p.m.; 154 passengers and six crew were on board.
Air-traffic-control audio and reports show pilots coordinated with controllers and declared an emergency before diverting; military and ground teams assisted with the unscheduled landing.
United arranged buses to transport passengers from Luke Air Force Base to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, where airline and airport staff helped customers with onward connections.
United thanked the U.S. Air Force and Phoenix airport teams for their assistance and said the aircraft would operate an empty return to Houston the following day after checks.
United Airlines Flight 2078 from Houston was diverted to Luke Air Force Base and made an unscheduled landing after thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds made landing at Phoenix unsafe. All 154 passengers and six crew members disembarked safely and were transported to…