Chicago Flight Makes Emergency Landing, Shuts Down Newark

Passenger: I've had bumpier landings in Newark

A United Airlines flight originating from Chicago was forced to make an emergency landing Sunday at Newark Liberty International Airport after its right rear landing gear failed to deploy.

No injuries were reported to the 53 passengers of Flight 634, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, though the landing was bumpy -- the Airbus319 was forced to dump fuel and deploy its chutes upon touchdown.

The landing forced Newark Airport to close for about 20 minutes, according to Port Authority spokesman Ron Marsico. The plane remained on the runway Sunday afternoon as investigators tried to determine what caused the problem.

Passengers expressed relief.

"I've had bumpier landings here in Newark," said Paul Lasiuk, of Chicago. "The pilot did a great job."

An amateur cell phone video captured by another passenger, Marc Greenstein, shows the plane on the runway with its emergency chutes deployed, and police and fire trucks surrounding the aircraft.

United will refund all passenger tickets and will also offer passengers miles and/or vouchers, according to NBCNewYork.

Some flights arriving in Newark were delayed about an hour. Some minor departure delays were reported.

The plane's landing returns focus to Newark Airport, where just last week a man walked past a security line and caused a six-hour shutdown of the airport on one of the busiest travel days of the year.

An intensive manhunt for the man ended this past weekend with the arrest of 28-year-old Rutgers University student Haisong Jiang.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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