On January 14, 2020, the Boeing 777-232ER conducting the flight had engine problems shortly after takeoff; while returning to the origin airport for an emergency landing, it dumped fuel over populated areas adjacent to the city of Los Angeles, resulting in skin and lung irritation in at least 56 people on the ground and triggering a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigation.

It was manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes in 1999 and was powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 892 engines with each producing about 92,000 pounds-force (410 kN) of thrust.

However, according to retired 777 pilot and CNN aviation analyst Les Abend, many runways at major airports can safely accommodate a landing by an overweight 777 in dry conditions.

[7] Minutes after departing LAX and initiating a climb over the Pacific Ocean, the pilots reported a compressor stall in the aircraft's right Rolls-Royce Trent 892 engine.

[10] CBS News reported that, based on the expert opinion of a former Boeing 777 captain, Flight 89 would have likely dumped 15,000–20,000 US gallons (12,000–17,000 imp gal; 57,000–76,000 L) of fuel.

However—trying to surmise why the pilots did not use the extra time to explain their intentions, nor to ask for vectors to a dumping area over the ocean—Abend stated "Honestly, I don't have the answer.

"[7] Following the Flight 89 incident, the mayor of Burien, Washington, a city located adjacent to Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, called on the Port of Seattle to develop an emergency response plan for similar situations.