FAA The incident prompted the flight crew to take precautionary measures and return safely to Harry Reid International Airport. No injuries were reported, and the aircraft was met by emergency personnel as a precaution.
Officials are now examining the circumstances surrounding the mechanical issue to determine its cause and ensure safety protocols were properly followed.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into an “engine issue” involving an American Airlines jet that experienced problems shortly after taking off from Las Vegas.
The incident occurred as the aircraft was departing from Harry Reid International Airport, prompting the crew to return to the airport out of an abundance of caution.
American Airlines confirmed that the plane had encountered a mechanical issue and was inspected by maintenance teams upon landing. The airline expressed appreciation for the professionalism of its crew and the cooperation of passengers during the unexpected return.
The FAA has not released further details about the nature of the engine problem but said it is reviewing the circumstances to determine what may have caused the issue.
American Airlines Flight Returns to Las Vegas After Engine Issue; FAA Launches Investigation
An American Airlines flight was forced to return to Las Vegas on Wednesday morning after reporting an engine issue shortly after takeoff.
Flight 1665, operated on an Airbus A321, had departed Harry Reid International Airport at 8:20 a.m. local time and was en route to Charlotte Douglas International Airport when the crew reported trouble with the left engine, according to a preliminary statement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Airport spokesperson Like Nimmo told CNN that the flight crew reported seeing “smoke coming from the left engine.” Emergency services were alerted, and the aircraft returned to Las Vegas, where the fire department inspected the engine upon landing. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Earlier reports from the airport had stated there were 165 passengers on board.
In a statement, the airline praised the crew for their response and assured customers that efforts were underway to get them to their destinations.
After inspection, American Airlines confirmed that its maintenance team found no evidence of a fire in the engine. However, the aircraft has been taken out of service for a more thorough evaluation.
The FAA has opened an investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the reported engine issue.