American cancels flight after loading equipment catches fire

HONG KONG – American Airlines says a flight from Hong Kong to Los Angeles was cancelled after a piece of loading equipment caught fire while it was preparing to put cargo in the hold of the plane. One person was hurt.

A spokeswoman for the airline, Martha Thomas, said Monday the container that was on the loading equipment also caught fire in the process.

She said the cargo it contained was “non-hazardous,” without providing details.

Thomas said boarding had not yet started and no passengers or crew on Flight 192 were injured. The flight was scheduled to depart Hong Kong at 6:10 p.m. local time and arrive at Los Angeles at 4:30 p.m. local time.

Thomas said the operator of the equipment is being treated for “non-life-threatening” injuries.