Plane’s front gear collapses in LaGuardia landing

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

11 years ago

This photo provided by Bobby Abtahi, shows what officials say was a plane where the nose gear collapsed during landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport Monday. The Federal Aviation Administration says the plane landed safely.

In this photo provided by Jared Rosenstein, a Southwest Airlines plane whose nose gear collapsed as it touched down on the runway is surrounded by emergency vehicles at LaGuardia Airport in New York on Monday, July 22. The plane was carrying 149 passengers and crew.

A southwest airlines plane rests on the tarmac after what officials say was a nose gear collapse during a landing at LaGuardia Airport, Monday, July 22, 2013, in New York. The Federal Aviation Administration says the plane landed safely.

NEW YORK — Officials say the front landing gear of a plane arriving at New York’s LaGuardia Airport collapsed as the aircraft touched down on the runway. The Federal Aviation Administration says the plane landed safely.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey says they have ‘several’ accounts of people reporting physical injuries. The extent of the injuries was not immediately known. Officials say four people suffered anxiety attacks.

The Port Authority has temporarily closed the airport.

The FAA says the Southwest Airlines flight from Nashville landed at 5:45 p.m. Monday and safely came to a stop on the tarmac. The nose of the plane could be seen on the ground. The plane, which was carrying 149 passengers and crew, was surrounded with emergency vehicles.

Dallas-based Southwest Airlines spokespeople didn’t immediately respond to phone and email inquiries.

The FAA is investigating.