Philippine Airlines flight makes emergency landing after leaving Los Angeles

Flames seen coming from Manila-bound aircraft's engine as it returned to airport

FILE - In this Nov. 1, 2013 file photo airplanes sit on the tarmac at Los Angeles International Airport. A Philippine Airlines jet with flames spurting from one engine has returned safely to Los Angeles International Airport shortly after takeoff. Ian Gregor of the Federal Aviation Administration says Flight 113, a Boeing 777 bound for Manila, reported a problem with the right engine after takeoff Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019. It turned around and landed safely at about noon. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull,File)
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A Philippine Airlines flight bound for Manila suffered an apparent engine failure shortly after takeoff from Los Angeles on Thursday and made an emergency landing.

All 347 passengers and 18 crew aboard Flight 113 are safe, an airline spokeswoman said.

Pilots of the Boeing 777 declared an emergency and reported a possible engine failure, Los Angeles International Airport said.

A witness on the ground described "bursts of flames" coming out of an engine.

The US Federal Aviation Administration said the plane returned and landed safely. Television station ABC-7 in Los Angeles aired video of the aircraft after takeoff that showed flames and smoke coming out of the right engine.

The plane landed around noon local time and was met by the Los Angeles Fire Department, the airport said. The emergency landing did not affect other flights.

Although the cause of the apparent engine failure was not immediately clear, it comes as Boeing faces intense scrutiny over twin deadly crashes involving its 737 MAX single-aisle jetliner. The 737 MAX has been grounded worldwide since March.

GE Aviation, a subsidiary of General Electric, which makes the GE90 engine for the 777 twin-aisle jetliner, said it was aware of the incident and was "working with the airline to determine the cause of the event and to promptly return the aircraft to service".

Boeing said it was aware of an incident regarding Philippine Airlines and was closely monitoring the situation.

Philippine Airlines Flight 113, a Boeing 777-300ER, bound for Manila, makes emergecy landing at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angles, California, U.S. November 21, 2019 in this picture obtained from social media   Andrew Ames via REUTERS  ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT @andrewblakeames
A photo posted on social media by witness Andrew Ames shows Philippine Airlines Flight 113 with flames coming out of an engine after leaving Los Angeles airport on November 21, 2019. @andrewblakeames

"You saw bursts of flames, little flames shooting out from the engine," said Andrew Ames, a 36-year-old fitness professional in Los Angeles, who watched as the 777 ascended over the ocean after takeoff. "It almost looked like backfire flames from a motorcycle or car."

"I had never seen a plane spew flames repeatedly. Then it stopped. As soon as it stopped, I saw the plane bank left, like it was heading back to airport," Mr Ames said.

The Philippine Airlines spokeswoman said the flight crew noticed smoke in the plane's second engine, declared an emergency and returned safely to the airport.

"All passengers are safe and sound," spokeswoman Cielo Villaluna said. "They are all being assisted to another flight."