Midair engine problem forces return of UA plane

HOUSTON, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- A United Airlines (UA) passenger plane flew back and landed here Sunday after experiencing a mechanical problem in mid-air.

The Boston-bound UA Flight 1124 encountered a mechanical issue with an engine before it returned to Houston for "an abundance of caution," local TV channel ABC13 quoted a UA statement as saying.

The Boeing 737 aircraft landed safely at the Bush Intercontinental Airport, and passengers took another plane to Boston on Sunday afternoon, said the report.

In another mishap, the Seattle-bound Flight 409 made an emergency landing at Newark Airport in New Jersey on Sunday morning after the crew noticed an unusual smell in the cabin.

On Saturday night, the Berlin-bound UA Flight 96 also had an emergency landing at Newark Airport. Aviation authorities said the plane blew a tire on takeoff, possibly sending debris into the engine.

No one was injured in the two mishaps.