The Latest: Passenger: Heard explosion, then saw flames
CHICAGO (AP) - The Latest on a plane fire at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago (all times local):
6:25 p.m.
A passenger aboard an American Airlines flight from Chicago to Miami that was forced to abort takeoff because of an engine-related mechanical issue says the plane was speeding down the runway when she heard an explosion.
Sarah Ahmed says after the blast she saw flames and black smoke.
Ahmed told WLS-TV (http://abc7.ws/2eNEQSe ) everyone on the right side of the aircraft jumped from their seats and moved to the left side of the aircraft. She said the plane came to a quick stop and people began demanding that the doors be opened.
Ahmed says within seconds, smoke entered the cabin and the fire was melting the windows.
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4:15 p.m.
Seven passengers and a flight attendant reported minor injuries after an American Airlines aircraft caught fire and passengers were evacuated onto the runway at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.
American Airlines spokeswoman Leslie Scott says the injured were taken to a hospital to be evaluated.
Scott says Flight 383, a Boeing 767 bound for Miami, aborted a takeoff due to an engine-related mechanical issue. The 161 passengers and nine crew members were evacuated and buses took them to an airport terminal. Scott says the passengers will be placed on another flight to Miami this evening.
National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Keith Holloway says the board will conduct an investigation into the incident, with investigators expected to arrive on the scene Friday evening.
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3:40 p.m.
A Federal Aviation Administration spokesman says an unknown number of minor injuries have been reported after an American Airlines plane caught fire and passengers evacuated on the runway at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.
FAA spokesman Tony Molinaro initially said no one was hurt but later said minor injuries were reported. He said he could not give an exact number.
Molinaro says the pilot aborted takeoff and everyone evacuated. Television reports showed a large plume of black smoke coming from the Boeing 767.
A National Transportation Safety Board spokesman says the board is aware of the incident but hasn't made a decision on whether to investigate.
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2:30 p.m.
Authorities say an American Airlines plane caught fire and passengers evacuated on the runway at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.
Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Tony Molinaro says American Airlines Flight 383 departed Chicago for Miami on Friday afternoon when it blew a tire and damaged an engine. Molinaro says the pilot aborted takeoff and everyone evacuated. The FAA says there were no injuries.
Television reports showed a large plume of black smoke coming from the Boeing 767.
American Airlines spokeswoman Leslie Scott said in a brief statement that the plane had "an engine-related mechanical issue." She says buses are en route to take 161 passengers and nine crew members from the runway to the terminal.
The Chicago Fire Department tweeted that it was responding to the scene.