LA-bound flight returns to Newark after flames seen by wing

Newark, (US), Jan 16 (AP) A United Airlines jetliner headed for Los Angeles returned to New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport early Thursday after flames were seen near a wing. Video showed flames soon after Flight 1871 had taken off.

A passenger told WABC-TV it appeared fire was coming from an engine. "I didn't know what was happening," passenger Gabrielle Guzy said.

"My sister said she thought it was lights but I knew it was fire from the engine. I kept reassuring myself we'd be OK because we had only been in the air for a minute." In a statement, United said the flight returned because of a "mechanical issue."

The airline said the flight landed safely and passengers deplaned normally. The airline was working to get the passengers to Los Angeles. (AP) IND