US Airways flight stopped mid-takeoff

BURBANK – The captain of a US Airways Airbus jet ordered his craft evacuated Sunday morning, stopping the plane during takeoff due to an engine malfunction, airline officials said.

The Phoenix-bound craft had 67 passengers and five crew members aboard, said US Airways spokesman Bill McGlashen. The emergency call came in about 7 a.m., as the plane began taxing down the runway.

“During the early part of the takeoff, the captain had an engine indicator light,” said McGlashen. “In the abundance of caution, he decided to stop the aircraft.”

Victor Gill, a spokesman for Bob Hope Airport, said no one was injured during the evacuation, and McGlashen said all passengers were transferred to other flights.

-- Dan Evans, Times Community News