American Airlines Flight Diverted to Raleigh-Durham Airport
Emergency Landing Due to Smoke in Aircraft
Raleigh, N.C. - An American Airlines flight from Charlotte to Connecticut was diverted to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) on Thursday morning due to smoke inside the aircraft.
The Boeing 737, carrying 150 passengers and crew, landed safely at RDU around 10:30 a.m. No injuries were reported.
Cause of Smoke Under Investigation
The cause of the smoke is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Passengers reported smelling smoke in the cabin shortly after takeoff.
The pilot declared an emergency and diverted the flight to RDU, the nearest airport with a long enough runway to accommodate the aircraft.
Passengers Deplaned Safely
All passengers and crew were deplaned safely using the aircraft's emergency slides. They were transported to the terminal by buses.
American Airlines is assisting passengers with rebooking their flights or providing accommodations as needed.
Similar Incidents in Recent Months
- In May 2023, a Southwest Airlines flight from Dallas to Baltimore was diverted to Raleigh-Durham Airport due to a burning smell in the cabin.
- In March 2023, an American Airlines flight from Miami to Philadelphia was diverted to Raleigh-Durham Airport due to smoke in the cockpit.
The recent spate of smoke-related incidents on commercial aircraft is raising concerns about the safety of air travel.
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