Disabled aircraft on runway caused shutdown at Newark Airport, FAA says

David M. Zimmer
NorthJersey

Newark Liberty International Airport was shut down for about an hour Saturday morning after a plane blew two tires while making an emergency landing, according to officials.

The Airport's official Twitter account said shortly before 9 a.m. that "due to an airport emergency there are currently no arrivals nor departures from Newark Airport."

United Airlines' official account subsequently informed customers that the Federal Aviation Administration initiated a mandatory ground stop at the airport because of a disabled aircraft on the runway. The FAA later released a statement saying the aircraft was United Airlines flight 2098.

Destined for Houston, the flight made an emergency landing at 8:46 a.m. due to a brake problem after leaving New York's LaGuardia Airport at 8:10 a.m., according to the FAA. The Airbus A319 was subsequently diverted to Newark due to aircraft maintenance, United Airlines records show. 

During landing, the plane blew two left tires, closing Runway 22L until 1:53 p,m. and requiring passengers to exit via emergency slides, according to the FAA statement. The passengers were taken by bus to Gate 71 at Terminal C, said Scott Ladd, a Port Authority spokesman.

Ladd said there were reports of a few minor injuries and structural damage to the plane that subsequently forced the runway's closure. 

He added that flight activity had resumed, but the suspension of flights was expected to cause lingering delays.

Passengers were told to expect continued delays after the shutdown and advised to check with their carriers before coming to the airport.

The FAA website said to expect departure delays of one hour or more. 

A call to officials at the Port Authority was not immediately returned. 

Earlier this month, there were delays at the airport after a United Airlines passenger jet skidded off the runway.

Precautionary landing:Air India flight en route to Newark makes precautionary landing in London

Algae blooms:Harmful algae blooms keep water sports on hold at lakes in NJ, NY and PA