A United Airlines flight bound for New Jersey was forced to turn back to Los Angeles after one of the aircraft’s engines burst into flames shortly after departure, prompting an emergency evacuation of everyone on board.
United Flight 2127, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, departed Los Angeles International Airport at approximately 10:15 a.m. before returning to LAX about an hour later after experiencing what the Federal Aviation Administration described as a “left engine issue.”
Video from the scene shows smoke pouring from one of the jet’s engines as firefighters sprayed water into the aircraft.
WATCH:
The FAA confirmed the basic details of the incident.
“United Airlines Flight 2127 took off from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) around 10:15 a.m. before turning around an hour later because of a left engine issue.”
The agency said the incident is under investigation.
Passengers Evacuated Using Emergency Slides
The aircraft was carrying 256 passengers and 12 crew members at the time of the incident.
After landing safely back at LAX, passengers evacuated the aircraft using emergency slides and airstairs before being transported to the terminal by bus.
United Airlines said the flight returned to Los Angeles so the crew could address an issue involving one of the engines.
“We are grateful to our pilots and flight attendants for their quick actions to keep our customers safe,” the airline said in a statement.
Officials have not provided additional details about the nature of the engine problem.
A spokesperson for Los Angeles International Airport referred all inquiries to the airline, while the Los Angeles Fire Department had not issued a public statement as of the latest reports.
FAA Investigation Underway
The aircraft involved in the incident was a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, one of Boeing’s long-haul widebody aircraft used on international and transcontinental routes.
Federal investigators will now determine what caused the engine malfunction and whether it resulted from a mechanical failure, maintenance issue, or another factor.
Despite the alarming nature of the incident, no injuries were reported.
The FAA said its investigation into the incident is ongoing.
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