United Flight 2127 was flying to Newark, New Jersey, when it was forced to turn back to LAX due to engine problems on Monday, March 2
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NEED TO KNOW
- United Airlines Flight 2127, which had been on its way to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, had to return to Los Angeles International Airport shortly after takeoff on Monday, March 2
- Smoke appeared to be coming from the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner’s left engine when it landed, while pilots were also notified of a fire
- “Sort of a surreal feeling to be sprinting away from a flaming plane on the tarmac at LAX,” passenger Harry Gestetner told CBS News
A United Airlines plane was forced to return to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) around an hour after departure due to an engine fire.
At around 11:19 a.m. local time on Monday, March 2, United Flight 2127 made an emergency landing at LAX because of an issue with the plane’s left engine, CBS News reported, citing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Fox News Digital reported the plane had taken off around 10:15 a.m. that day.
The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner — which had been heading to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey — was carrying 256 travelers and 12 United crew members at the time of the incident, according to Fox News Digital and CNN.
"Customers deplaned via slides and airstairs and were bused to the terminal,” said United Airlines in a statement provided to Fox News Digital, adding that no one who had been onboard was injured.
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Footage obtained by CNN captured the moment passengers were evacuated down inflatable slides and mobile stairs on the runway. Once on the ground, the passengers were directed away from the aircraft as airport firefighters blasted water at the smoking left engine.
"Sort of a surreal feeling to be sprinting away from a flaming plane on the tarmac at LAX," Harry Gestetner, a passenger who had been onboard, told CBS News.
He recalled to the outlet thinking that something was wrong after hearing loud knocking throughout the cabin just after takeoff and seeing the flight attendants looking out the windows.
Extinguishers built into the left engine had both been deployed, CNN reported, citing a conversation between the pilots and firefighters. However, they were still getting warning indications of a fire, the outlet stated.
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After passengers were bused to a terminal, a different aircraft was arranged to continue their journey to their destination, per Fox News Digital, citing the airline.
"We are grateful to our pilots and flight attendants for their quick actions to keep our customers safe," said United Airlines in a statement provided to the outlet.
The incident caused other flights heading to LAX to be delayed while one runway was also shut down, according to CNN, citing a statement from the airport.
The FAA is leading an investigation to determine the cause of the fire, CBS News reported.
A representative from United Airlines, LAX, the FAA and the Los Angeles Fire Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for further comment on Tuesday, March 3.
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