Dramatic video captured a stream of sparks flying out of a United Airlines jet that was forced to make an emergency nighttime landing in Newark after circling over the Atlantic to burn fuel.
The Boeing 777-200 spewed the sparks “shortly after getting airborne on runway 22L at Newark-Intl AP (KEWR)” about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday on its way to Sao Paulo, Brazil, aviation safety site JACDEC said on Twitter.
The 1996-built aircraft “entered a holding pattern about 70 (nautical miles) southwest of New York and returned to land safely” 88 minutes later, it added.
Video posted by the site shows a stream of sparks flying as the plane, which was carrying 256 passengers, gains altitude.
“After our aircraft experienced a mechanical issue shortly after takeoff, it remained in the air to burn fuel and then landed safely,” a United rep told The Post in an email.
“Passengers deplaned at the gate and a new aircraft is scheduled to depart this morning,” the rep added.
An initial inspection suggested an issue with a hydraulic pump on the plane, United added.
The hydraulic system runs key systems, including the landing gear, flaps and brakes.
The Boeing 777 has three redundant hydraulic systems — so two can fail and the jet can still operate normally.
ACDEC noted that the same plane experienced another incident on Sept. 9 when it rejected a takeoff in Amsterdam after a smoke warning.
