United Airlines flight makes emergency landing in Newark due to engine problem

United Airlines says a flight heading to Los Angeles had to return to Newark Liberty International Airport to make an emergency landing Wednesday night because of an engine problem.

"United 1871 from Newark, New Jersey to Los Angeles returned to Newark due to a mechanical issue. The flight landed safely and passengers deplaned normally,"  said spokeswoman Kimberly Gibbs. "We are working on changing aircraft to get our customers to their destination as soon as possible."  

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The plane had just taken off from Newark Liberty International Airport when the right wing sparked and an engine failed, United passenger Nicole Adamo posted on Twitter. 

"Most terrifying experience of my life. ... Flight takes off, Right wing of the plane (where I’m sitting in the aisle seat) sparking & now one engine failed," she tweeted. "They're making announcements but I can't hear anything because people are screaming."  

Fire trucks were dispatched to meet the plane upon its landing at Newark Airport.

United Airlines flight 1871 was scheduled to fly out of Newark at 7 p.m. EST However, according to a later post from Adamo, passengers had to wait until nearly 2 a.m. for a new plane to take themto Los Angeles.

Keldy Ortiz is a breaking news reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all the major news happening in North Jersey, subscribe here. To get breaking news directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.

Email: ortizk@northjersey.com Twitter: @KeldyOrtiz