Deployed Slide Forces United 757 to Turn Back to Portland

A United Airlines jetliner made an emergency landing Wednesday when an indicator light showed an inflatable emergency slide had deployed.

United spokeswoman Megan McCarthy said she did not know whether the slide deployed in the air or after the emergency landing. An investigation was under way.

A passenger told KGW-TV in Portland that the inflatable slide rolled out while the jet was in the air.

The Denver-bound 757 returned to Portland after about 30 minutes into the flight.

There are eight slides on the plane, McCarthy said. The one that deployed was located over one of the jet's wings at an emergency exit, McCarthy said. The exit door did not open.

The flight was carrying 189 people, including 182 passengers, airport spokesman Steve Johnson said.

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