A cross-country trip turned into a runway evacuation when a Boeing 787 was forced to circle back shortly after departure. Smoke trailed from an engine and passengers braced for impact as United Airlines Flight 2127, which was headed for Newark, was forced back to Los Angeles International Airport, which it had left less than an hour earlier. The eight-year-old plane made an emergency landing at about 11:19 a.m. local time after a left engine issue, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Crews met the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on the runway and appeared to hose off its smoking left engine. Aerial footage showed passengers using slides to exit. No injuries required hospitalization, the Los Angeles Fire Department said. The FAA issued a ground stop at LAX until 12:30 p.m. United said passengers were bused back to the terminal and added: “We’re working to get our customers to their final destinations.” In comments to local media, passenger Harry Gestetner called it “a surreal feeling to be sprinting away from a flaming plane.” Legendary music producer Terry Lewis, who deplaned by the stairs, said, “I got to go down the stairs, so mine was really easy.” The FAA investigation is ongoing.
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