United Airlines flight returns to LAX after 'engine issue'

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A United Airlines flight which left Los Angeles International Airport headed for Newark, NJ, had to return to LAX with most of its fuel after the Boeing 757 experienced an ''engine issue,'' according to authorities and an airport spokesman.

United flight 1807, which carried 171 people, left LAX at 2:16 p.m. and was scheduled to land at Newark Liberty International Airport at 10:07 p.m. EST, according to LAX spokesman Marshall Lowe and the www.flightaware.com website.

But about 45 minutes into the flight the jet experienced an ''engine issue,'' according to a Los Angeles fire Department Dispatcher and the plane was turned around and would be returning to LAX ''heavy,'' which means it was still carrying most of its fuel.

Lowe said United 1807 officially landed at 3:34 p.m. with about six hours of fuel remaining on board. According to the LAFD dispatcher the flight landed on runway 25 right and an emergency truck loaded with foam was at the scene in case of a landing problem.

United 1807 landed safely and there were no reports of injuries, Lowe said.

In response to a City News Service call and email to United Airlines media relations, spokeswoman Mary Clark stated, ''The flight returned to LAX as a precaution due to an indication of a mechanical issue and landed without incident.''

United substituted another plane and the passengers will be reboarded and was scheduled to arrive at Newark about 1 a.m. local time, Clark added.

However, the exact nature of the engine problem experienced by this jet remained undisclosed by United Airlines.