Plane Drops Engine Parts on Queens Rooftop
MSNBC.com
A Chicago-bound American Airlines plane flying out of LaGuardia Airport dropped engine parts on the roof of a Queens business before landing at JFK Airport, according to an airline spokesperson.
American Airlines Flight 309 took off at 8:17 a.m., but was forced to make an emergency landing at JFK Airport at 8:35 a.m. after an engine failed, American Airlines spokesperson Andrea Huguely said.
Port Authority crash crews responded and discovered metal fragments in the fuselage of the plane.
Debris from the plane fell on the roof and damaged some cars at Varsity Plumbing in College Point. Workers heard an explosion around 8:20 a.m. before debris began hitting the roof. Some of the pieces were so hot they melted into the roof.
"I think it's a turbine.... I've seen it before," said American Airlines Aircraft Maintenance Jim Causa.
Federal officials collected a five gallon bucket of debris, according to Bob Bellini, owner of Varsity Plumbing.
The plane's pilot heard a loud noise as the plane was climbing out of LaGuardia. The plane was landed safely and no injuries were reported among the 88 passengers and five crew members on board.
