Flight returning to Newark after engine problem
From Susan Candiotti, CNN National Correspondent
updated 7:25 PM EDT, Sat August 18, 2012
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
NEW: Witnesses report fire in engine
United flight was taking off for Berlin
FBI: Piece of tire flew into Boeing 757 engine
New York (CNN) -- A United Airlines flight was returning Saturday evening to Newark Liberty International Airport after a tire blew during takeoff and flew into an engine, FBI spokeswoman Barbara Woodruff said.
Flight 96, a Boeing 757, reported a problem in its left engine after it left New Jersey for Berlin, said Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen.
The engine was operating properly and the plane was burning fuel before landing, according to the FAA.
Eyewitness Keisha Thomas, who was traveling on the New Jersey Turnpike, said she witnessed fireballs near a wing at about 6:25 p.m.
Thomas heard a loud sound, describing it as "pow, pow, pow." The plane was circling the airport, she said.
Djenaba Johnson-Jones, who lives near the airport, said she heard an unusual noise and saw fire, but not smoke, coming from the aircraft's left engine.
Eyewitness Dennis Ostolaza said he heard a "propeller sound" akin to a military helicopter as the airliner gained altitude after takeoff, with "black smoke and fire spitting out of the engine."
Flight returning to Newark after engine problem - CNN.com
Looks like they are holding to burn off fuel:
FlightAware