Travel

Flight Bound For LAX Diverted As Flames Shoot From Engine

United Airlines Flight 1871, a Boeing 757, was only in the air a few minutes when it had to turn back because flames shot from the engine.

LOS ANGELES, CA — A United Airlines flight bound for Los Angeles was forced to return to an airport after flames reportedly shot from an engine, and its passengers were placed on another flight that landed at Los Angeles International Airport Thursday morning.

United Airlines says Flight 1871 departed Newark Liberty International Airport about 9:30 eastern time last night and was in the air for just a few minutes when it returned to Newark due to a mechanical issue.

``The flight landed safely in Newark and passengers deplaned normally. We changed aircraft to get our customers to their destination as soon as possible," it said.

Find out what's happening in Los Angelesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.


SEE ALSO


The plane is a Boeing 757 and 168 passengers were on board, United said.

Find out what's happening in Los Angelesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Video posted to Twitter from a passenger showed what appeared to be flames shooting out of one of the jet engines.

Another passenger told PIX11 News in New York that United gave passengers snacks, meal vouchers and travel vouchers toward a future flight purchase with the airline.

Passengers were put on another flight to LAX that landed about 5:30 a.m.

No injuries were reported.

City News Service

More from Los Angeles