LOS ANGELES — A United Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency return to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Monday after a reported engine fire shortly after departure, prompting a temporary ground stop and large-scale evacuation.
The aircraft, en route to Newark, New Jersey, turned back roughly 40 minutes after takeoff following concerns about a possible engine issue. Authorities briefly suspended all incoming and outgoing flights at LAX for about 30 minutes while emergency crews responded. No injuries were reported.
Emergency Response and Evacuation
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the temporary halt in airport operations as a precautionary measure. The Los Angeles Fire Department said the situation was brought under control within an hour of landing.
More than 250 passengers and crew members were evacuated from the aircraft using emergency slides and stairs onto the taxiway before being transported back to the terminal.
Flight Timeline
According to data from FlightAware, the plane departed at 10:43 a.m., initiated its return around 11 a.m., and touched down safely at 11:19 a.m.
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, a long-haul jet widely used for international and cross country routes.
An investigation into the reported engine issue is expected as authorities review the incident.