File Photo (Xinhua)
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- A jet plane carrying 16 people with two blown tires landed safely at Steward International Airport in New York State on Tuesday after circling for five hours to burn fuel to prepare for an emergency landing, according to local media.
The Gulfstream IV, a jet flown mainly for private and business use, was diverted to make an emergency landing after two tires were blown when taking off at Teterboro Airport on Tuesday in eastern U.S. state New Jersey, local media reported.
It had spent hours circling over New York and then Connecticut as it dealt with diversion after diversion, said the reports.
Multiple media outlets said U.S. rapper Post Malone and his entourage was on the plane, citing Instagram videos posted by his crew showing the star boarding a plane at Teterboro Airport at about 10 a.m. Authorities did not confirm the identities of those on board.
"The Gulfstream G-IV with blown tires continuing to circle, reducing fuel weight prior to landing. Per @TMZ Post Malone is reportedly on board this aircraft." flight-tracking organization Flightradar24 tweeted.
A Fox News report said the Port Authority of New York said the aircraft was once supposed to be diverted to Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport in Massachusetts but the FAA later said the plane has been diverted to Stewart Airport, located north of New York City.
The plane took off at New Jersey's Teterboro Airport around 10:50 a.m. local time and was scheduled to land at the London Luton Airport in Luton, England.