Flight bound for China after almost 3-day wait

A China Eastern Airlines flight to Shanghai has finally left Los Angeles after being delayed almost three days and stranding 279 passengers.

Local airline manager Johnny Qian said the original flight Sunday afternoon was canceled because a light indicated a nose landing gear problem. A rare replacement part and mechanic had to be flown in from Shanghai.

Passengers told the Los Angeles Times they were on the plane for hours before the flight was canceled. They reboarded Monday but were told to get off after the plane sat on the tarmac for an hour.

Some say they became angry and staged a sit-in. Airport police Sgt. Jim Holcomb says no one was arrested.

The flight finally took off at 10:54 p.m. Tuesday.