8일(현지시간) 미국 네바다주 라스베이거스 공항을 이륙하려던 영국항공 여객기에서 엔진 화재가 발생해 2명이 다쳤다고 영국 일간지 가디언과 AFP, AP통신 등이 보도했다.
미국 연방항공청(FAA)과 공항 측에 따르면 불은 이날 오후 라스베이거스 매캐런 국제공항을 떠나 런던 개트윅 공항으로 향할 예정이던 보잉 777기 2276편 항공기의 왼쪽 엔진에서 발생했다.
비행기가 이륙을 준비하려고 활주로를 지나던 중 발생한 이 화재로 탑승객 159명과 승무원 13명 등 172명이 긴급 대피했다.
<관련 영문 기사>
British Airways flight catches fire on Las Vegas runway
An engine on a British Airways jet caught fire while the plane was preparing to take off from Las Vegas on Tuesday, forcing passengers to escape on emergency slides.
Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said the plane’s left engine caught fire Tuesday afternoon. Billowing black smoke and orange flames could be seen pouring from the plane’s wings before about 50 firefighters quickly doused the aircraft.
McCarran International Airport spokesman Chris Jones said the 159 passengers and 13 crew members on the British Airways flight had gotten off the plane. The airport reported via its official Twitter account that two passengers were taken to a hospital for minor injuries. The airport reported one runway was shut down, but operations continued at its other three runways.
Clark County Deputy Fire Chief Jon Klassen said the cause of the fire isn’t clear yet. He says it didn’t appear to breach the cabin.
The Boeing 777-200 was bound for Gatwick Airport near London. (AP)
