An airliner travelling from Vancouver to Chicago made an emergency landing Friday afternoon in Seattle after a tire blew out during takeoff.
American Airlines Flight 397, travelling from Vancouver International Airport to Chicago O’Hare, diverted to Sea-Tac due to a suspected mechanical issue, the airline said in an emailed statement.
“The flight landed safely at 1:58 p.m. PT, and is being inspected at the gate by our maintenance team,” American Airlines said.
Allen Kenitzer, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration, said the pilot declared an emergency after takeoff in Vancouver “because of a blown tire.”
Kenitzer said the aircraft was a Boeing 737-800 and 160 people were onboard. No injuries were reported.
Wajahat Ali, a writer who spoke Thursday at the TED2019 conference in Vancouver, said in a Twitter message that he was a passenger on the plane. Ali praised the pilot’s flying skills.
“We just did an emergency landing in Seattle because the plane’s tire blew out. The pilot was like a Sully. Total G. Landed it so smooth,” he wrote. “Just wanted to give him some public love and respect. An eventful week indeed.”
