BOSTON (AP) – A landing gear problem that forced a jetliner to make an emergency landing at Logan International Airport apparently was triggered by a faulty wheel bearing, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman said Wednesday.

Midwest Airlines Flight 210 landed safely on Tuesday night after spending about two hours circling the airport to burn off fuel. As it landed, sparks were seen coming from the landing gear under the Boeing 717’s right wing.

The plane, carrying 86 passengers and four crew members, had been en route to Milwaukee, when it was turned around.

An initial investigation found the sparks were thrown off when a bearing failed in the outer wheel of the landing gear, damaging a tire and brake rotors, FAA spokesman Jim Peters said. The wheel locked up as a result of the malfunction.

The plane, which was being inspected Wednesday, had been newly delivered to Midwest Airlines in October, Peters said.

AP-ES-12-21-05 1716EST