Feds probe 2 incidents at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport

North Runway reopens Tuesday

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Authorities at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport were dealing with two investigations after a cargo plane caught on fire on Friday and a passenger plane reported a bomb scare on Sunday. 

The North Runway was closed on Monday, as employees towed the FedEx cargo plane. The National Transportation Safety Board inspectors was investigating the incident.

The runway opened on Tuesday morning.

Authorities said the plane caught on fire after a "landing gear collapse," as the pilot coming from Memphis landed in Fort Lauderdale.

The runway closure to tow the damaged cargo plane caused flight delays hours after the pilot of Spirit Airlines' flight 971 declared an emergency on Sunday.

A passenger accused another of sending a text message about a bomb. The text message allegedly read, "your bombs are in place." 

The FBI interviewed the passengers, and Broward Sheriffs' Office deputies reported there were no arrests on Monday.

Authorities cleared the Spirit Airlines plane and it landed in Dallas early Monday morning. 

At Chicago's O'Hare International Airport on Saturday, American Airlines Boeing 767 couldn't take off when the right-side engine caught on fire.  

Authorities said no one was seriously injured in any of the incidents. 


About the Authors:

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.