Jetliner makes emergency landing

CHICAGO, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- An American Airlines MD-80 had engine failure shortly after takeoff from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport Thursday and made a safe emergency landing.

Witnesses described the sound of a "big pop" or "sonic boom" at 2:14 p.m., and said smoke and flames leapt from the jetliner's left engine and then there was white smoke.

The plane, Flight 1374 en route from Chicago to Philadelphia, safety returned to the airport less than five minutes after takeoff. None of the 107 passengers or five crewmembers were injured, officials said.

The plane stopped on a taxiway in a holding pad area outside Terminal One and passengers were taken down a rear stairway, CLTV, a cable news outlet said.

"The plane took off normally and experienced, after departure from O'Hare, left hand engine failure," said American Airlines spokeswoman Mary Frances Fagan. "The initial indication from our maintenance crews who are looking at the engine is that there was a possible bird strike."

Passengers were bused to the terminal and offered other flights to Philadelphia.

Witnesses said the fire and police units recovered silvery parts of the engine or engine cowling that fell on city streets. No injuries were reported.