Commute E145 at Houston on Sep 3rd 2025, smoke in cockpit, lost electrics

Last Update: September 5, 2025 / 15:24:30 GMT/Zulu time

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Incident Facts

Date of incident
Sep 3, 2025

Classification
Incident

Airline
CommuteAir

Flight number
UA-4969

Departure
Houston Intercontinental, United States

Destination
Panama City, United States

Aircraft Registration
N11164

Aircraft Type
Embraer ERJ-145

ICAO Type Designator
E145

A CommuteAir Embraer ERJ-145 on behalf of United, registration N11164 performing flight UA-4969 from Houston Intercontinental,TX to Panama City,FL (USA), was climbing out of Houston's runway 15L when the crew stopped the climb at 4000 feet reporting smoke in the cockpit. The transponder signal ceased shortly after. Emergency services were told, the aircraft would land without being able to talk to tower/emergency services due to losing their electrical systems. The aircraft returned to Houston Intercontinental for a safe landing on runway 27 about 20 minutes after departure.

The FAA reported: "CommuteAir Flight 4969 safely returned to George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport around 2:15 p.m. local time Wednesday, Sept. 3, after the crew reported smoke in the cockpit. The Embraer E145 was travelling to Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. The FAA will investigate."

The airline reported a potential maintenance issue caused the return.

The aircraft is still on the ground in Houston about 45 hours after landing back.
Aircraft Registration Data
Registration mark
N11164
Country of Registration
United States
Date of Registration
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Manufacturer
EMBRAER
Aircraft Model / Type
EMB-145XR
Number of Seats
Jp Subscribe to unlock
ICAO Aircraft Type
E145
Year of Manufacture
Nkkh Subscribe to unlock
Serial Number
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Aircraft Address / Mode S Code (HEX)
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Engine Count
A Subscribe to unlock
Engine Manufacturer
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Engine Model
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Engine Type
Bii qf eg Subscribe to unlock
Pounds of Thrust
Amqq Subscribe to unlock
Main Owner
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Incident Facts

Date of incident
Sep 3, 2025

Classification
Incident

Airline
CommuteAir

Flight number
UA-4969

Departure
Houston Intercontinental, United States

Destination
Panama City, United States

Aircraft Registration
N11164

Aircraft Type
Embraer ERJ-145

ICAO Type Designator
E145

This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
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