Brake Problems Force Jet to Return to LAX
An American Airlines jet bound for Miami with 169 people aboard returned to Los Angeles International Airport on Friday after developing a hydraulic problem, authorities said.
The problem was reported by pilots of American Airlines Flight 280 about half an hour after its 9:30 a.m. departure. According to authorities, the Boeing 757 returned shortly after 10 a.m. to Los Angeles, where emergency ground crews were standing by.
Although there were no difficulties landing, the plane’s wheel mechanisms overheated shortly after that, causing pilots to stop the plane on a south field runway.
Passengers waited as an American Airlines ground vehicle attempted to tow the plane, but the tow bar broke. Authorities said fire crews had to cool the overheated brakes, but there were no signs of fire.
Fifteen minutes later a tow bar was found, but by then the plane’s brakes had locked up, preventing the plane from moving.
“It was one thing after another,” said Nancy Suey Castles, an LAX spokeswoman.
Half an hour after landing, passengers were deplaned using portable stairs and they boarded buses to the terminal. An American Airlines official said the passengers were put on a 12:35 p.m. American Airlines flight to Miami.
Ground crews replaced the brakes and wheel assembly, and shortly before 1 p.m. the plane was towed to the American Airlines hangar for maintenance.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
