Without Left Landing Gear, Plane Makes Smooth Emergency Landing at LAX

"I've had worse landings with the wheels down," one passenger said

A plane that couldn't extend one of its landing gears made an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport Monday morning, authorities said.

No one was injured in the incident, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Passengers exited the plane and boarded waiting buses after what passengers said was a smooth landing, despite the circumstances.

"I've had worse landings with the wheels down," Toronto resident Joe Bone said.

Flying into Los Angeles from Monterey, the plane couldn't extend its left main landing gear, according to FAA spokesman Ian Gregor. The plane landed without that landing gear.

All 40 passengers and three crew members safely exited SkyWest Flight 5316, being operated as a United Express flight, according to a SkyWest news release.

"They were just very calm and cool and told us exactly what we should do," Monterey resident Traci Reid said of the flight crew.

While the runway remained closed at noon, only four United flights were delayed and one Aeromexico flight from Mexico City diverted to Tijuana, according to a statement from LAX spokeswoman Nancy Suey Castles.

Thirty-one passengers had connected flights and nine passengers were bound for LA, Castles said. Paramedics remained with passengers in case any medical issues were later reported.

She said the runway, 24L, would reopen after the aircraft is removed and the runway inspected.

"Mechanics will inspect the aircraft to determine what may have caused the issue," according to SkyWest.

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