August 8, 2012
TOKYO (AFP) - A twin propeller plane with 55 people on board made an emergency landing on one engine in Japan on Wednesday after sensors indicated the other was overheating, Japan Air Commuter said.
Shortly after the Bombardier DHC8 took off from the southern city of Fukuoka bound for nearby Miyazaki, instruments showed oil in one of the engines was too hot, said a spokesman for the company, an affiliate of flag carrier Japan Airlines.
The warning light was illuminated as the 74-seat plane gained altitude, the spokesman said, adding the pilot turned the plane around and headed back to Fukuoka.
"After the decision was made, the pilot shut down the affected engine and landed safely," the spokesman said.
Television footage of the aircraft showed the plane landing safely with one of its two propellers switched off.
The flight's 51 passengers and four crew members were not injured in the incident, the spokesman said, adding the airline was investigating.
