News - State
Flight ends in minutes, returns to Louisiana airport
Posted: Apr 4, 2011 8:22 AM by Nichole Larkey & AP
Updated: Apr 4, 2011 9:20 AM
KENNER, La. (AP) - A United Air Lines flight from New Orleans to San Francisco returned to the New Orleans airport within minutes of taking off Monday after rocking back and forth.
All 100 passengers and five crew members on Flight 497 were safe, airline spokesman Rahsaan Johnson said.
Copilot Ronald Lee Young told an Associated Press reporter aboard the Airbus 319 that he landed on backup systems, with minimal steering and braking ability, after the plane lost all
electronics.
"When things start to go wrong, there's always a system ... we can go back to," he said.
He said the plane, heavy with fuel, ran off the runway and blew
a tire.
As soon as the flight was on the ground, flight attendants
shouted "Leave everything. Get out!" Passengers slid down the
front and back slides.
A few passengers walked to an ambulance after a call for anyone
with injuries. The injuries appeared to be minor, such as abrasions
from the slide.
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