Incident Overview
USAir Flight 20, a regularly scheduled domestic flight operated with a Boeing 737-387 (registration N383AU), returned to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) shortly after takeoff after the captain was advised of a bomb threat. The aircraft landed on Runway 24L and was parked on the west end of the runway by the captain.
Emergency Evacuation
Following the landing, USAir ground personnel failed to bring the stairs to the aircraft in a timely manner. Consequently, the captain ordered an emergency evacuation of the airplane. During the evacuation, an unidentified passenger opened an overwing emergency exit on his own initiative, and a female passenger sustained minor injuries when she exited through that door.
Another passenger, an elderly female, sustained serious injuries when she used the left rear slide to evacuate. Three unidentified male passengers who had been asked to assist other passengers evacuated the aircraft but then ran from the scene.
Injuries
Two passengers were injured during the evacuation: one female passenger with minor injuries from the overwing exit, and one elderly female with serious injuries from the left rear slide. No other injuries were reported.