Northwest jet in emergency landing (smoke in the cabin)

Northwest jet in emergency landing
None of the 368 passengers, crew on L.A.-bound flight injured, Kyodo says

The Associated Press
Updated: 4:18 a.m. ET Feb. 25, 2006

TOKYO - A Boeing 747 jumbo jet operated by Northwest Airlines made an emergency landing in Okinawa Saturday after smoke poured into the passenger cabin, a news report and airport officials said.

None of the 368 passengers and crew on the flight, which was heading to Los Angeles from Hong Kong via Tokyo, were injured, Kyodo News agency said.

A faulty engine on the left wing may have leaked oil, which vaporized and entered the cabin through air conditioning ducts, the report cited officials at Naha Airport in Okinawa as saying.

An airport spokeswoman, who was not authorized to give her name, said a Northwest flight had made an emergency landing at 12:30 a.m. Saturday, but could not immediately confirm details.

A replacement flight was scheduled to fly the passengers back to Tokyo later Saturday, she added.

Northwest’s offices in Okinawa and Tokyo were closed Saturday, and officials could not be reached for comment.