Passengers FAA Investigates Emergency Landing in St. Louis After Smoke Detected in Plane Lavatory
The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation after a United Express flight made an emergency landing in St. Louis, Missouri, on Tuesday morning due to reports of smoke coming from a bathroom onboard.
Shortly after takeoff, the crew detected a smoke warning from one of the aircraft’s lavatories, according to GoJet spokesperson Elizabeth Dray.
The CRJ-700 regional jet circled back and landed safely just 12 minutes later, according to FlightAware, a flight tracking website.
As the aircraft came to a stop on the tarmac, flight attendants initiated an emergency evacuation. Video taken by passenger Dominic Gagliardotto showed travelers climbing out onto the plane’s wings while being instructed to leave all belongings behind.
“It didn’t really hit me until they started giving the brace-for-impact instructions,” Gagliardotto told CNN affiliate WLS.
Emergency crews from the St. Louis Fire Department responded quickly, assisting passengers as they slid down from the wings onto the tarmac. No injuries were reported.
“We arranged for a replacement aircraft, and all customers ultimately made it to their destination.”
The FAA is currently investigating the source of the smoke and circumstances surrounding the emergency landing.