After suffering smoke in the cabin, an Embraer ERJ-145 ExpressJet en route from O’Hare to Ottowa returned to O’Hare.
Pilots made a safe landing at 6:15 pm.
Thirty-eight passengers disembarked safely in Chicago. One was hospitalized at Resurrection Medical Center for breathing problems. The rest of the passengers were provided an alternative flight to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
On January 21, 2012, a Southwest Airlines 737 with 76 passengers and five crew aboard was en route from Kansas to Houston when it developed smoke in the cockpit.
Pilots diverted to Tulsa and made a safe landing (but probably hard and fast since reportedly three tires blew) with emergency services on standby at about 9:15 a.m.. No injuries were reported. Passengers were provided alternative transport to Houston.
The plane has been removed from service and will be inspected in Tulsa.
A 2:10p.m GoAir flight G8302 Airbus A320 from Chennai to Mumbai made an emergency landing when the plane filled with smoke, probably from the air conditioning vents.
As soon as the plane made a safe landing, passengers disembarked and were moved a safe distance from the plane. There were over 50 passengers aboard.
The plane made it halfway to Mumbai when the pilots had to turn back to Chennai.
The problem is probably the AC system. An investigation is underway.
On January 7, 2013, a Japan Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner Japan-Boston had already landed in Boston, and all 184 passengers had safely disembarked when smoke filled the cabin.
A fire was found in a battery aboard the plane. Boston Firefighters arrived at 10:40 a.m. and put out the fire.
Passengers were provided alternative transportation and overnight accommodations.
Electrical issues in the avionics bay where the battery is located are a known issue in this type of plane, which uses electrical motors instead of hydraulics in certain areas. The auxiliary battery in the compartment kicks in after the engine kicks off. That’s what happened on test flights, and from what I have heard, that is what happened here.
According to the NTSB report below, the NTSB seems to agree with me that incidents like this warrant investigation.
Press Release
WASHINGTON– Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board are gathering information regarding reports of smoke aboard a Boeing 787 at Boston’s Logan Airport today.
The Japan Airlines 787 was on the ground and empty of passengers at the time of the incident.
The NTSB has dispatched an investigator to Boston. Based on a review of the factual information gathered, the NTSB will determine the extent of its investigation.
Video Below
Dec 20, 2012, 20:38; Air Berlin Airbus A330-223 was en route from Phuket to Abu Dhabi. Not long after takeoff, the plane developed engine problems. Smoke was detected in the cabin.
Witnesses on the ground heard three “explosions” when the flight took off, and saw smoke.
Pilots returned to Phuket where they made a hard (fast/heavy) landing that blew three tires. Of the 249 passengers and ten crew, none were injured. The passengers, mostly German, were provided a hotel, and a flight the next day.
The plane was sprayed to cool it down and sent to be examined by maintenance.
What: private Tiger Moth
Where: Jandakot Airport Australia
When: Dec 14, 2012, 10:15 a.m.
Who: pilot and passenger
Why: The flight was en route when smoke started coming from the engine. The smoke was seen at 10: 15.
Shortly later, the pilot made a safe landing at Jandakot Airport Australia with four crews of emergency services standing by.
The smoke seemed to originate from an oil leak.
What: Private Cessna en route from Waterloo-Wellington Flight Centre
Where: Region of Waterloo International Airport
When: Dec 13, 2012
Who: flight instructor, pilot
Why: Pilots made an emergency landing in Waterloo with emergency services on standby.
The flight was en route when smoke developed in the cockpit.
THe smoke is being blamed on a leaky oil seal dripping oil on to the muffler.
The plane landed with emergency services on standby but taxied on its own steam to the hanger.
No injuries were reported.
What: British Airways Boeing 767 en route from Edinburgh to London
Where: Sanquhar
When: Dec 11, 2012 12:45
Who: crew (2 pilots)
Why: Fifteen minutes after taking off, the BAE flight developed smoke in the cockpit and returned to Edinburgh. No passengers were aboard the flight.
Emergency services were on standby.
The flight made a safe landing at 12:55 pm
What: Alaskan Airlines Boeing 737 en route from Seattle to Las Vegas
Where: Sacramento
When: Dec 10, 2012 4:42
Who: 152 passengers and crew
Why: While the flight was en route, smoke “unidentified fumes in the plane “developed in the cabin. Pilots diverted to Sacramento where they made a safe landing at 4:42 pm. with emergency services on standby.
There were no injuries although there was a report of a crew member getting oxygen.
Passengers said the problem appeared to be electrical, and that a stewardess had “burning in her eyes and throat.”
Passengers disembarked and were provided an alternative flight. The affected plane is slated for a Tuesday return to Seattle.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Andy Egloff
What: Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-367ER en route from Hong Kong International Airport to Heathrow
Where: Wuhan China
When: Dec 9 2012
Who: 235 passengers, 12 crew
Why: The flight was en route when the captain detected smoke in the cockpit at 1:45 a.m.. The pilot diverted to Wuhan Tianhe International Airport. The flight landed at 2:07 a.m. with emergency services on standby, nine fire engines, three ambulances.
Passengers disembarked by stairs. No injuries were reported.
Alternative transportation was provided.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China and the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department will be investigating
What: Yakovlev Yak-42
Where: Surgut Airport, Russia
When: Dec 5, 2012
Who: 120 aboard, 113 passengers
Why: Taxi for take-off was aborted when the Yak 42’s cabin filled with smoke.
The captain reported the smoke to ATC, and passengers evacuated safely. No cause for the smoke has been determined.
What: Southwest Airlines 737 Flight 3252 en route from from San Diego to Baltimore
Where: Lindbergh Field
When: Dec 1, 2012, 7:15 a.m.
Who: 129 passengers, 5 crew
Why: As the plane was taking off, a flight attendant smelled smoke. The pilot returned to San Diego and made an emergency landing on Lindbergh Field. Oxygen masks were deployed but there were no injuries.
The plane was slated for inspection and will be removed from service until the issue is solved.
What: Aeroflot Airbus A320 en route from Moscow to Krasnodar
Where: Krasnodar International Airport, Russia
When: Oct 29. 2012
Who: 110 aboard
Why: After there was smoke in the cabin, the crew decided to land because there was smoke in the cockpit. The cause of the smoke was due to an electrical short circuit.
The pilots made an emergency landing at Krasnodar International Airport. There were no injuries.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Rafael Alvarez Cacho
What: Transavia Boeing 737-BK2 En route from Sharm el-Sheikh to Amsterdam
Where: Primošten Croatia
When: Oct 20, 2012
Who: 192 aboard
Why: While the flight was en route over Croatia, smoke and the odor of burning plastic developed in the cabin. The pilot diverted to Zagreb-Pleso airport and made a safe landing although two passengers complained of breathing problems. Emergency Medical Services at the airport treated them.
Apparently there was no one available certified on Boeing, so an expert from Amsterdam was called in.
While passengers spent the night at a hotel, a replacement plane was flown in.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Ignatiy Savranskiy
What: Wideroe de Havilland Canada DHC-8-103 Dash 8 en route from Florø to Bergen
Where: Bergen-Flesland Airport, Norway
When: Oct 18, 2012, 7:30 a.m.
Who: 17 aboard
Why: The pilot was en route to Bergen when smoke in the cockpit forced him to land immediately; but he called off the mayday because he felt in control of the situation.
Before landing, the pilot informed passengers.
The crew stayed aboard until passengers were evacuated. The evacuation was described as undramatic.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Antonio Carrasquilla
What: Jet2 737 en route from Glasgow to Alicante
Where: Glasgow Airport
When: October 19, 2012 7.40am.
Who: 189 passengers
Why: On the takeoff run, the pilot “hit the brakes” and according to passengers “the plane started shuddering and there were lights flashing and smoke and the crew started shouting ‘Get out, get out’.”
Another passenger told BBC “We were careering up the runway and smoke started belting out of all the air vents with a smouldering smell.Then the brakes went on and the emergency chutes went out and we were all evacuated.I have a nine-week-old daughter and a four-year-old daughter. I had my nine-week-old attached to my chest as I went down the emergency chute and my wife had our four-year-old and was in tears. it was like something out of a movie. There was panic, people started running and I shouted ‘slow down’, and then the pilot shouted ‘get out, get out'”
Passengers disembarked via emergency chutes; ten passengers climbed out on a wing where there was no chute but only a few of them jumped.
Six people were taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley; fourteen were treated at the scene. Injuries from the chutes are not uncommon, especially if they throw themselves down in a panic; and injuries from jumping off a wing could also occur.
This incident occurred a couple of hours prior to the Thomas Cook flight that diverted to Dublin Ireland
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Tony Silgrim
What: Thomas Cook Boeing 767-300 en route from Manchester to Tenerife
Where: Dublin
When: Oct 19th 2012 9.40am
Who: 325 aboard
Why: After taking off from Manchester, the crew reported smoke in the cockpit.
THe pilot diverted to Dublin and made a safe landing with a dozen emergency services units including fire and ambulance on standby.
Passengers disembarked and waited in the terminal for a replacement flight to Tenerife
What: American Airlines Boeing 777 from Chicago to London
Where: Shannon Airport
When: Oct 2, 2012
Why: American Airlines Flight 98 diverted to Shannon due to an unspecified technical fault. The smell of smoke was detected in the cabin.
Ennis and Shannon fire crews and ambulances were on standby. Passengers disembarked at 1.07pm.
Maintenance said a fan overheated.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Alex Khan
What: Delta Airlines Boeing 737-800,en route from Baltimore to Saint Petersburg
Where: Jacksonville
When: Sep 30th 2012
Who: Baltimore Orioles
Why: Smoke was reported aboard the Baltimore Orioles flight from Baltimore to Tampa for a Monday game.
Ned Rice, of Orioles operations said that “They came on and told us we needed to make an emergency landing, and then we were nearly free-falling for a few minutes as they raced to get us on the ground as fast as possible.”
The smoke originated in the galley.
The pilots diverted to Jackson and made a safe landing, where the plane was inspected and cleared before continuing to St. Pete.
Politicians aren’t aviation news, but…
Air Force One pilot aborted his first landing in Toledo, Ohio, due to hairy conditions on Wednesday. Plus we hear the flight had experienced turbulence.
And Ann Romney’s plane filled up with smoke after an electrical fire. Safe landing there too.
Good call on firing the TSA Agent who nabbed a passenger’s stolen ipad (including the 380 theft-related TSA firings that didn’t make the news.)
No jokes about the safety incidents. We’re glad the superlative pilots flying both planes brought everyone home safely.
What: Beechcraft 55 Baron en route from Baytown TX to Sarasota FL
Where: 28 miles east of South Pass in the Gulf of Mexico
When: Sept. 20, 2012
Who: 2 aboard
Why: After the International Emergency Response Coordination Center notified 8th Coast Guard District command center of a beacon alert, the search began.
Two men whose flight ditched were rescued after the Border Patrol spotted them adrift in the Gulf of Mexico. A Coast Guard MH-65C Dolphin helicopter was launched.
The pilot hit the water at an estimated 100 knots after the plane caught fire and the cockpit filled with smoke. The two men aboard survived the crash and three hours in the water.
Coast Guard helicopter pilot Lt. Becki Fosha said that “They had a limited time to bring the aircraft to the water and then they had about two minutes to get all of their survival gear together and get ready for a survival situation before the aircraft submerged…They had a GPS sport beacon. They had their current EPERB 406 beacon. They had floatation and survival equipment for just this kind of scenario…the men did a great job ditching the plane.”
Theodore Wright and Raymond Fosdick were pulled out of the Gulf and flown to Belle Chasse Naval Base. Fosdick was hospitalized at Ochsner Medical Center.
What: KTLA EUROCOPTER AS350 helicopter
Where: Hollywood Boulevard and Franklin Avenue.
When: August 28, 2012 1:00 pm
Who: pilot and passenger
Why: When the helicopter started giving off blue and white smoke, the first to see it was the pilot of another helicopter.
KTLA pilot Tim Lynn declared an emergency, then made a forced landing in a parking lot of the senior center at Hollywood Boulevard and Franklin Avenue.
The incident was witnessed by SKY2 pilot Dan Catalano (who taught Lynn to fly heicopters.)
The smoke came from an oil leak. Some newspapers report two aboard the helicopter but the FAA entry only reports the presence of the pilot.
What: Southwest Airlines Boeing en route from Oakland to Reno
Where: Oakland
When: August 28, 2012
Who: 119 passengers
Why: Southwest Flight 2899 took off but moments later at about 9:30 a.m., a flight attendant smelled smoke.
Pilots diverted the flight back to Oakland and made a safe landing. Fire and rescue crews were on standby.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Agustin Anaya
What: American Eagle Canadair CRJ-700 en route from Denver to Chicago
Where: Peoria
When: July 18, 2012
Who: 53 passengers, 4 crew
Why: The flight was en route when bad weather in Chicago made the pilot divert to Peoria.
On approach, when the wheels came down, smoke came down from the cabin ceiling. The pilot made an emergency landing, and emergency vehicles were on standby.
The video shows how passengers jumped from the plane, one by one. A single passenger injured an ankle while disembarking.
A shuttle was provided for passengers to get to Chicago
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Conor Clancy
What: Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 en route from Las Vegas to San Jose
Where: Mineta San Jose International Airport
When: July 3, 2012, 10:30 am
Who: 99 aboard, 3 crew
Why: 25 miles east of the airport, the pilot declared emergency. There was no smoke visible but there was the smell of smoke.
The plane taxied to the gate, where passengers disembarked.
Twenty firefighters remained at the scene in case of escalation, as investigators went through the plane.
I fly Southwest and I know enough about aircraft to say that the planes are wearing out.
They are made to take off and land and not stop, but aging planes need extra maintenance. Most of these planes gotta go in for real hard look.
