Engine Trouble Forces Jumbo Jet Back to L.A.
A Western Airlines jumbo jet en route to Hawaii with 250 passengers on board returned to Los Angeles International Airport Monday night when engine trouble developed about an hour after takeoff.
The DC-10 landed safely, and passengers were put on board another airliner to complete their journey.
A spokesman for Western Airlines said Flight 553 originated in Salt Lake City, stopped at Los Angeles, and took off for Hawaii at 6:40 p.m.
It had reached its cruising altitude of 29,000 feet, the spokesman said, when the fire warning light indicated trouble in the engine under the left wing, forcing the pilot to shut it down and declare an emergency.
Fire equipment was rolled to the runway when the big jet arrived at about 8 p.m., but the landing was uneventful.
An FAA spokesman said cause of the engine trouble was under investigation.
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