United Express plane that landed at IAH from Arkansas experienced landing gear issue, airline says

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A United Express plane that landed at Bush Intercontinental Airport from Arkansas experienced a landing gear issue that forced its deplaning on the tarmac, according to officials.

SkyWest Airlines, which operated the United Express flight, said Flight 5849, headed from Bentonville, Ark., to Houston, experienced a mechanical issue with a landing gear tire on departure.

SkyEye13 was overhead as images showed the aircraft surrounded by emergency vehicles and people getting off the plane using portable stairs.

A SkyWest Airlines statement read in part:

The aircraft landed safely in Houston and customers deplaned via air stairs and were transported to the gate. The aircraft has since been removed from service for inspection.

The FAA issued a temporary ground stop on departures to IAH on Tuesday afternoon, but it was lifted before 1:45 p.m. Initial FAA reports simply said the plane was disabled.

SkyEye13 images later showed the plane being towed from the tarmac.

SkyWest Airlines did not say exactly when the issue occurred or when it was detected. It also did not say whether there were any injuries.

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