American Airlines flight returns to Chicago airport over 'possible mechanical issue'

American Airlines flight returns to Chicago airport over ‘possible mechanical issue’

Posted by author December 2, 2024 Travel

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating an American Airlines flight that departed from Chicago and had to return due to a potential electric issue reported by the crew.

According to the FAA, the concern prompted the Boeing 737-800 plane heading to Las Vegas to return to the Chicago O’Hare International Airport on Sunday morning, just before 10:00 a.m.

An American Airlines spokesperson told USA TODAY that the aircraft was examined, and passengers boarded another plane.

“An indicator light identified a possible mechanical issue that, after inspection, was confirmed to be false,” a spokesperson said. “The flight landed safely and customers later redeparted for LAS on a replacement aircraft.”

Air controller tells American Airlines flight to execute an ‘expedited climb’

Last month, the FAA reported a probe into a different American Airlines flight departing from Hawaii that performed an “expedited climb” to dodge a nearby mountain.

In a statement sent to USA TODAY, an American Airlines spokesperson said the flight crew requested to turn right during the ascension out of Honolulu and received clearance.

The spokesperson said “there was no Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) alert as there were no issues with terrain clearance based on the trajectory of the aircraft.”

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.