Just two days after a mechanical issue forced a Fresno-bound Allegiant Air flight to return to Las Vegas, another of the much-maligned low-cost carrier's flights made an emergency landing in Greensboro, North Carolina Monday morning, the Tampa Bay Times reported.
The flight was traveling from St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport to Richmond, Virginia when an engine issue forced pilots to divert.
Some of the 146 passengers on board the flight reported smelling smoke and hearing unusual popping noises prior to the emergency landing announcement, the Times reported.
Allegiant Air confirmed the flight diverted to Piedmont Triad International Airport, landing shortly before 11 a.m. ET Monday. Airline officials said that a maintenance team was looking into the engine issue.
"There was a loud noise and smoke in the cabin. I was told that the plane suffered catastrophic engine failure of its left engine at 33,000 feet," passenger Ed McNelis told the Times. "Everyone kind of knew something was wrong."
Allegiant treated the stranded passengers to pizza at the airport terminal in Greensboro, and will refund a portion of their airfare in addition to providing them with $100 vouchers for future travel with the airline.
While passengers credited the flight crew for remaining calm, the mechanical failure and subsequent emergency landing delivers yet another blow to the Las Vegas-based carrier's image.
A slew of Allegiant Air flights have been forced to make emergency landings of late, including a flight that diverted to a closed airport in Fargo, North Dakota because it was running low on fuel.
What's more, the disconcerting incidents have occurred amid record growth for the airline, per the Times.
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