Jetbridge Collapse Injures Two People at LAX

American Airlines says it will inspect the jetbridge that collapsed at LAX Wednesday night along with all the jetbridges it runs at the airport.

Two people were injured when the jetbridge at Gate 48A at the end of Terminal 4 collapsed.

The victims were an American Airlines pilot and a passenger who was thrown to the ground from about 12 feet in the air down to two feet above the tarmac.

Officials said the two were hurt when they were deplaning. American Airlines flight 557 had just arrived from Chicago when a portion of the jetbridge next to the aircraft door apparently collapsed at about 6:50 p.m.

The two injured people were hospitalized in fair condition, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Matt Spence. The injuries are said to be non-life threatening.  By Thursday morning, the passenger had been released from the hospital.

Investigators told NBC4 the collapse is a rare occurrence.

Passenger service was interrupted at Gate 48A but travelers said the mishap did not affect their plans.

The collapse also damaged the airliner.

American Airlines spokesman Ed Martelle told NBC4 the jetbridge would remain closed until the airline finds out what lead to the collapse.

"If we can determine what went south," he said, "we'll make changes to that particular jetbridge, get it back in service and see if that's the situation with other jetbridges."

Martelle says at LAX, jetbridges are the responsibilities of the airlines which use them.

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