Update: Mechanical issue forces Honolulu-bound United Airlines flight to return to SFO

SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT -- A United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Honolulu returned to SFO Wednesday afternoon after the flight developed a mechanical issue, the airline said.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the crew of UA flight 2380 reported a possible rudder issue on its way to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu. While aloft, the crew switched their transponder to the code 7700, indicating an emergency situation.  

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The flight had originally departed at 11:48 a.m. bound for Honolulu. According to FlightAware, it was diverted back to SFO at 12:47 p.m. and landed back at SFO at 1:30 p.m.

"United flight 2380 returned to San Francisco earlier this afternoon to address a mechanical issue," a United spokesman said in an email. "The flight landed safely, and we've arranged for another aircraft to take our customers to their destinations."

The FAA said it would investigate the issue.