Engine apparently on fire as US Airways Charlotte flight lands at National Airport

A US Airways flight landed at Reagan National Airport on Saturday with flames apparently spurting from the area of one of its engines.

A spokeswoman for the airline said the crew of Flight 1764 declared an emergency as a precaution because of a "mechanical issue" that occurred as the Airbus 319 was making its approach from Charlotte about 7 p.m.

Video shown Sunday night on WRC-TV (Channel 4) showed what appeared to be fire in the area of the engine beneath the airplane's left wing.

The airline spokeswoman said that the plane, with 81 passengers and a crew of five, landed without incident.

She said the airplane is being examined.

-- Martin Weil