LOS ANGELES : Jumbo Jet Lands Safely After Blowing 2 Tires
A Thai International Airways jumbo jet that had blown out two of its 18 tires on takeoff circled back to Los Angeles International Airport and landed safely about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, officials said.
Airport officials said that before returning to LAX, the Boeing 747-400--which had been bound for Seoul and Bangkok with 390 passengers and crew--circled for about half an hour over the ocean to dump fuel in order to lighten the plane’s load and reduce pressure on the tires.
However, they added, the problem was not serious because the damaged tires were not part of the jet’s nose gear. Passengers on Flight 771 said later that many aboard were unaware that a problem had occurred until the plane turned back to LAX.
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