Operations Normal at LAX Following Regional Jet Incident Sunday Night

(Los Angeles, California June 13, 2005) -- A United Express regional jet operated by Skywest Airlines landed with a nose gear malfunction Sunday night at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). There were no injuries to the 17 passengers and crew. The plane, a Canadair 200 LR Regional Jet, sustained only minimal damage to its nose gear.

Flight 6543 departed LAX shortly after 10 p.m. for Santa Barbara. The pilot reported a possible problem with the nose gear and elected to return to LAX rather than continue to the plane’s destination. The Los Angeles City Fire Department and airport operations staff were standing by when the plane landed on the southern most runway (25-L) about 10:30 p.m. The main landing gear operated properly. The plane skidded on its nose for approximately 100 feet.

Passengers were taken by bus to Terminal 8 where alternative travel arrangements were being made for them to get to their destination.

The runway, one of four at LAX, was expected to reopen at 2 a.m. Monday. All other airline and airport operations were reported normal.

The cause of the incident was under investigation.