FAA Probes Bizarre Plane Mishap

Personal Injury News – State May 12, 2009

Los Angeles – Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are looking into the cause of a plane accident that could have triggered a major catastrophic explosion when a metal luggage cart was sucked into the front end of a jet plane’s engine on the tarmac near Runway 24 at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Authorities said the accident involved a Japan Airlines (JAL) 747 bound for Narita, Japan with 249 passengers and 18 crew aboard. The plane was preparing to take off when the accident happened. The container did not belong to JAL.

Authorities are expected to interview the pilot and the luggage transport operator to determine who is responsible for the accident.

Aviation experts say pilots are advised to check the so-called ‘cones of danger’ or imaginary areas in front of engines, especially in massive jet engines like the 747 to prevent accidents like this. The experts cautioned that sparks sent through the engine could result in huge explosion.

No one was reported injured in the accident.