Engine problem forces Detroit-bound Delta jetliner to circle back to Los Angeles airport

Engine problem forces Delta jet back to LA airport

LOS ANGELES — A Delta Airlines spokesman says a Detroit-bound jetliner was forced to return to Los Angeles International Airport after experiencing problems with an engine.

The Federal Aviation Administration says the pilot reported that a bird may have been sucked into an engine of the Boeing 757 just after 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

However, Delta spokesman Kent Landers says a maintenance crew inspected the engine after the plane safely landed and found no indication of a bird strike. He says the crew will further evaluate to determine the cause of the engine problem.

The 179 passengers and nine crew members on the flight were placed on another aircraft that departed at 5 p.m.