Northwest Airlines jet avoids private plane in its path

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The pilot of a Northwest Airlines flight from Toronto to the Twin Cities narrowly avoided a private aircraft that had cut into the jet's path, airline officials said.

The DC-9 had just taken off Sunday morning when the small plane cut in front of it, causing the airliner's pilot to "take evasive action" to avoid the plane, Northwest spokesman Bill Mellon said.

Flight 971, with 94 passengers aboard, continued on to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and arrived on time, Mellon said.

Canadian and U.S. aviation officials were investigating.