Engine smoke forces evacuation of JAL plane in snow

CP36482039
Japan Airlines\' Boeing 737 passenger plane sits on the snow-covered tarmac after passengers and crew slid down emergency chutes at New Chitose Airport in Sapporo, northern Japan, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016. More than 160 passengers and crew slid down emergency chutes in swirling snow after an engine fire forced the Japan\'s domestic flight to abort takeoff and smoke entered the cabin, Japanese media reported. (Daisuke Suzuki/Kyodo News via AP) JAPAN OUT, CREDIT MANDATORY

TOKYO – More than 160 passengers and crew slid down emergency chutes in swirling snow Tuesday after engine smoke forced a Japan Airlines domestic flight to abort takeoff and smoke entered the cabin, Japanese media reported.

National broadcaster NHK showed video of the passengers evacuating and then gathering on the snow-covered tarmac at New Chitose Airport, which serves the city of Sapporo in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost main island.

At least four passengers were injured during the evacuation and taken to a hospital, Kyodo News agency said, citing rescue officials.

Kyodo said that the engine stalled after sucking in snow, and that there was an explosive sound when a pilot restarted it.

The Boeing 737 with 159 passengers and six crew members was bound for Fukuoka in southern Japan.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles