NEWARK- A United Airlines (UA) flight bound for Detroit (DTW) was forced to return to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) on Wednesday after crew members detected smoke in the aircraft cabin shortly after takeoff.
Flight UA3439 departed Newark around 4:30 pm and was immediately rerouted back to the airport, landing at approximately 5 pm, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
United Airlines Passengers Evacuated
The aircraft deployed emergency evacuation chutes, allowing passengers to exit safely. Passengers were subsequently transported to the terminal by bus. No injuries were reported during the incident.
The airport issued a public advisory warning of potential flight disruptions, noting “PAPD activity” at Newark (EWR).
Flight tracking data from NorthJersey.com indicated an average delay of approximately one hour resulting from the emergency landing. The airport remained closed for about an hour following the incident.
Embraer E170-operated flight to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport executed an emergency return to Newark Liberty International Airport due to smoke detection in the cabin. The Port Authority confirmed passengers were transported to Terminal C, and flight operations were temporarily suspended.
Republic Airways, the flight operator, provided a detailed statement emphasizing passenger safety. The aircraft landed safely and taxied to a designated ramp area, where the crew conducted a controlled, precautionary evacuation. Airspace reopened at 5:55 pm, resuming normal flight activities.
The specific cause of the smoke odor remains unconfirmed. United Airlines is actively working to rebook affected passengers as quickly as possible.
Republic Airways spokesperson emphasized their unwavering commitment to passenger and crew safety, apologizing for the inconvenience caused by the emergency landing.
Similar Incidents
A Wizz Air (W6) flight from Gdansk, Poland to Tromso, Norway diverted to Stockholm, Sweden on November 16, 2024, after reporting smoke in the cabin. The Airbus A321neo flight, W61771, had been airborne for approximately 30 minutes at 35,000 feet when the crew detected the smoke issue.
Turkish Airlines (TK) similarly encountered a smoke-related incident during a flight from Istanbul to Montreal, making an emergency landing in Vienna. The airline reported the galley issue was quickly addressed, and the aircraft landed safely.
At San Francisco International Airport, an American Airlines (AA) flight bound for Miami was evacuated due to smoke originating from a passenger’s laptop. The Airbus A321 required emergency evacuation using slides, with passengers reporting chaotic conditions during the exit.
Passengers described a “light stampede” with some individuals sustaining minor injuries. American Airlines confirmed the smoke source as a laptop in a passenger’s bag, which crew members promptly removed from the aircraft.
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