'Sudden Burst of Smoke' Prompts Emergency Landing for American Airlines

An American Airlines flight traveling from Los Angeles to New York City was forced to make an emergency landing in Phoenix following reports of smoke onboard Wednesday night.

"Sudden burst of smoke followed by an announcement to immediately prepare for landing," passenger Terron Austin wrote on Twitter.

So...we're having an emergency landing in #Phoenix on my 9PM PST flight from #LA to #NYC. Sudden burst of smoke followed by an announcement to immediately prepare for landing. We weren't even two hours in the air yet. Flight 10 on @AmericanAir.

- Terron Austin (@TerronAustin) January 3, 2019

The flight, which had been in the air for just over 90 minutes, was met by an emergency crew and no injuries were reported. "Sitting in the middle of the runway with emergency crew lights swirling around us is surreal," added Austin.

Sitting in the middle of the runway with emergency crew lights swirling around us is surreal. Finally got to the gate only to be told "Hold tight for an update" as mechanics come onboard flight 10 on @AmericanAir - #LA to #NYC (now landed in #Phoenix).

- Terron Austin (@TerronAustin) January 3, 2019

DIVERSION
American Airlines #AA10
Los Angeles to New York
Diverted to Phoenix
Declared emergency for smoke in the cabin. 97 people on board. Landed and inspected by AARF. No injuries. Taxied to gate. https://t.co/NZZpdWVYU9pic.twitter.com/Jek4UxEXIV

- Tom Podolec Aviation (@TomPodolec) January 3, 2019

American Airlines apologized for the delay and confirmed it was working on getting another aircraft.

We're working on getting another aircraft now. Sorry for the wait.

- American Airlines (@AmericanAir) January 3, 2019

Austin said he received food and hotel vouchers for the night. "I've made it to the hotel, checked in & can take my tired tail to sleep. Trying this all again tomorrow," he tweeted.

Nearly an hour later, both food & hotel vouchers secured for tonight's stay here in #Phoenix via one of only five staff members scrambling to assist all passengers on grounded/delayed @AmericanAir flight 10 from #LA to #NYC.

- Terron Austin (@TerronAustin) January 3, 2019

Now standing in the 36 degree cold waiting for a shuttle from the airport to hotel. What a night?!

- Terron Austin (@TerronAustin) January 3, 2019

After a 20-minute wait in the cold, a 3-mile ride with 16 passengers crammed in a 10-passenger shuttle van (literally sitting on perfect strangers' laps so we all could fit), I've made it to the hotel, checked in & can take my tired tail to sleep. Trying this all again tomorrow.

- Terron Austin (@TerronAustin) January 3, 2019

Wednesday's emergency landing comes less than two months after a San Francisco-bound Delta Air Lines flight was forced to return to New York's JFK Airport after a smoky odor filled the cabin.

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