© Reuters.
By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board said on Friday it is investigating an engine fire that occurred last week on a Boeing 737-900 MAX operated by United Airlines at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.
The NTSB said the fire warning light indicator came on after United Airlines Flight 2376 from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., touched down in Newark on June 28, prompting the crew to shut down an engine.
The authority added that there was no visible smoke or fire from the engine, so the plane was pulled to the gate, where maintenance personnel saw evidence of fuel leakage from the engine, heat damage and soot on the engine hoods and external surfaces.
The passengers left the plane in a normal manner in Newark, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA said the plane landed after the flight crew turned on the engine fire extinguishers as a precaution.
United said it was investigating but declined to comment. Boeing referred questions to the NTSB and United.
The engine was built by French-American jet engine maker CFM International, of which it co-owns General Electric (NYSE:) and France saffron (EPA:).
GE and Safran did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
