Local News in Brief : Jet Leaks Fuel, Turns Back

A fuel leak Monday forced an American Airlines Boeing 737 with about 100 people aboard to turn back to Los Angeles International Airport shortly after takeoff for San Jose, officials said.

The pilot declared an emergency after an air traffic controller notified him that fuel was apparently venting from the right wing, Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Elly Brekke said.

The plane took off at 10:37 a.m. and landed safely 20 minutes later, Brekke said. No injuries were reported and the passengers were transferred to another flight.

A lock on the fuel cap on the top of the right wing had broken open, letting an undetermined amount of fuel leak out, American spokesman Steve McGregor said. The airline and the FAA were trying to determine how the lock broke.