Private Jet Carrying Post Malone Makes Emergency Landing; Rapper Thanks Fans

TETERBORO, N.J. (CBS News/CBSLA) — A private jet carrying rapper Post Malone that blew two tires during takeoff at a small New Jersey airport was headed to an airport in New York on Tuesday afternoon to attempt an emergency landing.

The Gulfstream GLF-4 jet was carrying 16 passengers when it left Teterboro Airport around 10:50 a.m. Tuesday.

The pilot soon realized what had happened and began circling the airport for about 30 minutes before the jet was diverted. The jet had been headed to London Luton Airport in Luton, England.

"Sir, we just felt a tire blow, we may need to come back there," the flight's pilot told air traffic control Tuesday, according to LiveATC.net. "We blew a tire, we need to come back, sir."

TMZ is reporting Malone and his entourage were headed to London on Tuesday after performing at the MTV Video Music Awards Monday evening.

It was originally diverted to Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport in Westfield, Massachusetts, the FAA said.

After landing safely, Malone tweeted his thanks to fans: "i landed guys. thank you for your prayers. can't believe how many people wished death on me on this website. f--- you. but not today"

Flight tracking service flightradar24.com showed the flight circling over Stamford and Bridgeport in southern Connecticut on the Long Island Sound shortly after 1 p.m. Tuesday. The craft landed safety just before 4 p.m. local time.

The FAA announced an investigation into the incident.

(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)