United flight aborts takeoff at Chicago O'Hare due to blown tires

A United Airlines flight barreling down the runway abruptly aborted takeoff at Chicago O'Hare International Airport on Thursday due to blown tires, according to air traffic control audio.

Passengers deplaned the Boeing 737-900 via stairs on the runway and were then bused to the terminal after the flight "safely aborted takeoff," according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

According to air traffic control audio from ATC.com, a pilot of a plane nearby that saw the incident happen, said: "We saw lots of chunks of tire going down the runway."

Rescue personnel reported there were two blown tires on the right main gear, according to the audio. The pilots told emergency responders that all passengers were okay. 

There were 161 customers and six crew members on board, according to the airline. No injuries were reported following the tire damage, it said.

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The flight was headed to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. United said it will arrange for another aircraft to continue on to Phoenix later Thursday.

The FAA is investigating.