Airplane with reported fuel leak diverted to RDU for emergency landing

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Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Airplane makes emergency landing at RDU
An airplane headed to Orlando had to divert and land in Raleigh.

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- An emergency landing happened successfully at Raleigh-Durham International Airport shortly before 10 a.m.

American Airlines flight 1787 departed Washington D.C. around 8:15 a.m. for Orlando. According to air traffic control, the airplane reported a fuel leak on one of its wings.

Because of the leak, it diverted and made an emergency landing at RDU.

The emergency landing was successful. The plane came down smoothly and taxied to a gate.

An emergency landing happened successfully at Raleigh-Durham International Airport shortly before 10 a.m.

Passengers on the airplane tell ABC11 they had to stay on the aircraft until 1:45 p.m. At that time, they were forced off and told to wait in the airport until American Airlines could get another plane to take them to Orlando.

There were 166 people on board the plane. There are no reports of any of them being injured during the emergency landing.