Mechanical problem forces Hawaii-bound commercial flight to return to Los Angeles airport

A Hawaii-bound jetliner is returning to Los Angeles because of a mechanical problem.

Spokeswoman Katherine Alvarado of Los Angeles International Airport says Hawaiian Airlines Flight 3 took off from LAX shortly before 1 p.m. Monday with some 300 people onboard.

Fire Department spokesman Erik Scott says the plane declared the problem around 1:30 p.m. and is turning around. It's expected back at the airport shortly.

Scott says a full complement of firefighters is waiting at the runway.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor says the aircraft was bound for Honolulu.