Passengers on an Airbus from Burbank to Phoenix ended up taking a “regular” bus back to the terminal instead early Sunday morning, when the pilot aborted taking off due to an indication of a problem with one of the engines.
USAir flight 371 was schedule to leave the gate at 6:50 a.m. for the flight to Phoenix. According to a spokesman for USAir, as the plane pulled onto the runway and began its take off, the pilot received an indication of a problem with the Airbus 319’s number one engine. The initial report was that the plane had smoke coming from its left side, but apparently there was no fire.
Bob Hope Airport Fire units immediately responded to the plane. Burbank Fire Department responded at 7:02 a.m. with three engine companies, two ladder trucks, and two rescue ambulances. The airport’s runways were closed as the emergency equipment responded to the scene. The Airbus’ second engine was not affected.
The aircraft moved to the taxiway, and “air stairs” were brought to the plane so that the 67 passengers could be shuttled in buses back to the terminal. The evacuation was completed about an hour after the incident began. The passengers were accommodated on later flights to Phoenix. No injuries were reported.
The Airbus was towed to an area in the northwest corner of the Airport, near the Vallarta Market, according to an airport spokesman.
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