What: Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-300 en route from Orlando,FL to Denver,CO
Where: Tampa
When: Sep 7th 2009
Who: 129 (124 passengers and 5 crew)
Why: After the smoke indicator lights indicated the possibility of smoke, and smoke in the cabin was confirmed by fire crews, the flight landed in Tampa and passengers debarked via emergency slides (which caused a few minor injuries.) However a Southwest spokesperson denied there was smoke, and claimed that the emergency landing was a precaution. But passengers reported a strong smell of smoke, and that the fire alarm had gone off in the lavatory.
George’s Point of View
Hmm. Someone smoking in the bathroom?
Avianca Airlines flight O6-6304 had to return for an emergency landing in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on February 23rd.
Vietnam Airlines flight VN-249 had to return and make an emergency landing at Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi, Vietnam, on August 15.
Beijing Capital Airlines flight JD-421 had to return and make an emergency landing in Hangzhou, China, on May 29th.