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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Problem With Plane Closes Main Runway

From Staff And Wire Reports

A Northwest Airlines flight was stuck on Spokane International Airport’s main runway for half an hour after landing because of a problem with the front landing gear.

A United Airlines flight was diverted to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport while the runway was closed Thursday night, Spokane airport spokesman Todd Woodard said.

Woodard said the problem began when a landing-gear door on Northwest Flight 615 from Minneapolis, an MD-80, failed to lock into place properly after the gear was extended for landing.

The plane landed safely at 9:40 p.m., but the pilot was unable to turn and taxi to the terminal because the faulty gear door prevented operation of the ground steering mechanism, Woodard said.

The runway was closed for about 30 minutes until repair crews freed the steering mechanism.

, DataTimes