A US Airways plane aborted its takeoff after a tire blew and its nose gear collapsed while leaving Philadelphia International Airport tonight. US Airways Flight 1702 was headed to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., when the incident happened about 6:25 p.m. Thursday, said FAA spokesman Jim Peters. The 149 passengers and crew members were forced to evacuate the plane, said airport spokeswoman Victoria Lupica. One passenger requested medical assistance. The airport remains open, said Lupica, although a ground stop - which affects flights that havent departed for the airport - is in place. No flights have been diverted. US Airways is re-booking passengers on another plane, which is scheduled to leave later in the evening. One of those passengers, Hannah Udren, took a selfie after getting off the plane.
Posted on: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 02:47:47 +0000