Faulty Landing Gear Forces Flight’S Return

A Delta Air Lines flight bound for Orlando, Fla., was forced to return to La Guardia Airport minutes after takeoff Sunday when the landing gear failed to retract, authorities said.

Smoke was detected in the cabin after landing, forcing an evacuation that left four passengers with minor injuries.

Delta Flight 1971, with 139 passengers and six crew members, took off at 8:30 a.m. but quickly returned because of the landing gear failure, landing without incident, said Port Authority spokesman Allen Morrison.

The plane, a Boeing 727, was immediately taken into maintenance to be examined, said Delta Air Lines spokeswoman Harmony Sockman.