Flames force plane to return to San Francisco airport

An official says a flight that left San Francisco bound for Sydney, Australia, made a quick turnaround due to flames caused by a mechanical failure.|
ASSOCIATED PRESS
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

SAN FRANCISCO - An official says a flight that left San Francisco bound for Sydney, Australia, made a quick turnaround due to flames caused by a mechanical failure.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports United Airlines Flight 863 took off at 10:45 p.m. but after flames started spitting from an undisclosed part of the plane pilots returned to San Francisco International Airport.

United spokeswoman Maddie King says in a statement the plane landed safely in San Francisco at 12:30 a.m.

King says passengers to Sydney were rebooked on other flights and the plane is being inspecting.

Despite the flames forcing the flight to return to San Francisco, United Airlines officials say it was not an "emergency" landing.

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Information from: San Francisco Chronicle, http://www.sfgate.com

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