Passengers were forced to deplane from a China Eastern Airlines that was preparing to fly from Los Angeles to Shanghai after smoke was detected in an airplane engine.

A Los Angeles International Airport spokesman says Flight 586 was canceled around noon Saturday.

Albert Rodriguez said a small engine of the Airbus A340's tail began smoking as the aircraft sat at the gate. He said China Eastern decided to cancel the flight "to err on the side of safety."

He said he didn't know how many passengers were aboard the aircraft. He said passengers would be rebooked, with some having to be put up overnight.

A call to an airlines representative in Los Angeles was not immediately returned.