Flight diverted to Las Vegas over smoking engine
An American Airlines flight was diverted to Las Vegas due to a smoking engine on Wednesday.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement obtained by The Hill's sister network NewsNation that an American Airlines flight 'returned safely' to Harry Reid International Airport early Wednesday morning Pacific time after 'an engine issue' was reported.
The flight, bound for Charlotte, N.C., according to a statement from the airport also obtained by NewsNation, experienced 'smoke coming from the left engine and the aircraft returned.' Out of the 165 passengers, there were no reports of injuries, according to the airport.
The incident occurred shortly after takeoff, American Airlines told The Hill.
'The aircraft taxied to the gate under its own power and customers deplaned normally,' the airline added. 'We appreciate the professionalism of our crew and thank our team who are working to get our customers to their destinations as quickly as possible.'
Earlier this year, a deadly collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines flight near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport rattled the country.
The FAA earlier this month also announced it would limit the number of arrivals and departures through the end of the year at Newark Liberty International Airport amid outages and staffing shortages at the airport.
'The confirmed reduced rates will maintain safety while alleviating excessive flight delays at the airport due to staffing and equipment challenges,' the agency said in a previous order.
Updated at 5:01 p.m. EDT
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