A passenger on a United Airlines flight recorded one of the plane's engines falling apart in flames after it took off from Denver on Saturday.
A pilot on United Flight 328 to Honolulu reported a "mayday" and told air traffic control that the plane had had an "engine failure," authorities said. Large pieces of metal debris landed in the neighboring city of Broomfield, Colorado.
Passengers aboard the flight, which carried 231 passengers and 10 crew members, recorded the engine in flames as it sailed through the sky. Video showed the frightening sight of the plane's motor stripped down and on fire.
The plane's crew managed to land safely back at Denver after the brief but harrowing departure.
Authorities asked residents in the Broomfield area to leave the metal parts that fell from the sky, as the National Transportation Safety Board "wants all debris to remain in place for investigation."
Broomfield police said Saturday that there were no reports of injuries.