HOUSTON (AP) — United Airlines says a flight from Costa Rica to Houston was cut short by an engine-overheating warning.

Airline spokeswoman Erin Benson says the two-engine Boeing 737 circled to burn fuel, then returned Monday to the airport in Liberia, Costa Rica. She says the plane was over normal landing weight, so fire crews stood by at the airport.

A reporter among the 165 passengers tweeted that it was a frightening experience.

Aviation-safety consultant John Cox says Boeing 737s can’t dump fuel but are designed to land slightly overweight. He says it sounds like the United crew did everything right, including throttling back and returning to Costa Rica on one engine.

Benson says the passengers will get compensation and fly to Houston on Tuesday.

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