failure, malfunction, breakdown

[Hanka]

Hi,

could you please proofread the following sentence and tell me which expression is better (failure, malfunction, breakdown...):

This time, the woman at the counter stated that there had been a plane breakdown and that they were waiting for a taxi carrying a technician with a replacement part from a 500 km distant place.

Thank you very much.

Hanka

[BobK]

I'd just say 'malfunction' - breakdown sounds a bit terminal (no pun intended). And just 'a taxi carrying a technician with a replacement part from 500 km away'.

Doesn't sound like much of a holiday!

b