RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) TAM Airlines says one of its jets took off from New York's JFK airport but was forced to return 20 minutes into the flight because of a mechanical problem.

TAM Linhas Aereas SA says that Flight JJ8081 en route to Sao Paulo with 196 people on board returned Friday night after a warning light indicated problems with the wing flaps.

An airline spokesman says the jet circled in the air for several minutes to burn fuel and lighten up before safely landing at JFK. He spoke on condition of anonymity as he wasn't authorized to discuss the incident.

The plane was repaired and took off from JFK early Saturday, landing safely in Sao Paulo at 10:38 a.m. (7:38 a.m. EST; 1238 GMT).