United Flight to Washington Evacuated on Runway in Argentina

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -- All 186 passengers aboard a United Airlines flight bound for Washington were evacuated down emergency chutes following an engine problem just before takeoff, authorities said Tuesday.

Four passengers suffered minor injuries while going down the slides of the Boeing 767-300. The evacuation came just before the plane's scheduled 10:05 p.m. departure Monday night, United said in a statement.

United Flight 846, a scheduled nonstop flight to Washington, was on the tarmac readying for takeoff when the problem prompted air traffic controllers at Ezeiza International Airport to order the evacuation.

Mariana Martin, a consultant who released United's statement in Buenos Aires, said investigators were studying the turbine but had no immediate report on the exact nature of the problem.

The airline said it was making other arrangements for the passengers' return on Tuesday.