United flight returns to LA airport for an evacuation after a reported fire
LOS ANGELES– A United Airlines flight returned to the Los Angeles airport Monday about 40 minutes after taking off for an emergency evacuation after a reported fire, authorities said.
All flights at LAX International Airport were ordered to remain on the ground for approximately half an hour during the flight’s return and evacuation, according to advisories from the Federal Aviation Administration. No injuries were reported.
The flight, which was en route to Newark, New Jersey, returned to Los Angeles to address a possible engine fire, the airline said in a statement. Los Angeles firefighters said they responded and the fire was brought under control an hour after the plane landed.
The flight took off at 10:43 a.m., began turning around around 11 a.m. and landed again at 11:19 a.m., according to FlightAware flight tracker.
Los Angeles firefighters said they helped evacuate more than 250 passengers and crew. Passengers exited the plane through the taxiway using slides and stairs and were taken to the terminal, the airline said.
The plane was a Boeing 787-9, a variant of the popular 787 Dreamliner line of long-haul aircraft.
