Southwest flight out of Oakland circling over Calif. after landing gear issue

A Southwest Airlines flight has landed safely after being forced to circle a California airport following landing gear problems.

The plane departed Oakland around 6 a.m. Wednesday and was scheduled to land at Chicago’s Midway Airport at 10 a.m, according to the company’s website.

Flight 2547 is now circling just outside the Oakland International Airport.

The flight had 139 passengers on board and the captain in command chose to turn back after taking off because of the maintenance issue, Southwest officials said.

Fire crews there are on stand-by for what’s being called a “yellow alert”. Shortly beforehand, the plane descended to about 375 feet and flew by the tower in Oakland so air traffic controllers could visually inspect the landing gear.

Additional details have not yet been released.

Stay with KCRA and KCRA.com for more information.