United Airlines Flight Returns to Airport Minutes After Departing

NEW ORLEANS -- A United Airlines flight from New Orleans to San Francisco returned to the New Orleans airport within minutes of taking off Monday after rocking back and forth.

Copilot Ronald Lee Young told an Associated Press reporter aboard Flight 497 that he landed on backup systems, with minimal steering and braking ability, after the plane lost all electronics. He said the plane, heavy with fuel, ran off the runway and blew a tire.

As soon as the flight was on the ground, flight attendants shouted "Leave everything. Get out!"

Passengers slid down the front and back slides.

A few passengers walked to an ambulance after a call for anyone with injuries. The injuries appeared to be minor, such as abrasions from the slide.