An American Airlines flight turned chaotic when smoke filled the cabin shortly after landing in Augusta, Georgia, forcing passengers to evacuate onto the wings.
According to Daily Mail, the Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft, operated by American Eagle, experienced a maintenance issue after landing at Augusta Regional Airport on Tuesday morning, prompting an urgent evacuation of all passengers.
The incident occurred on Flight 5406 from Charlotte Douglas Airport in North Carolina, which had landed about 30 minutes ahead of schedule around 10 am ET. Passengers were forced to crawl onto the wings and jump several feet down to the ground as smoke engulfed the cabin interior.
American Airlines confirmed that while the plane landed safely, a maintenance problem developed after touchdown. The airline's quick response protocol ensured all passengers were safely escorted to the terminal building.
Passenger Sean O'Conor captured footage of the frightening evacuation, showing confused and scared travelers making their way onto the aircraft's wings. The video documented the tense moments as passengers had to jump from the wing edges to reach safety.
One affected passenger, Carlene Shropshire, shared her experience with local media outlet WRDW. She mentioned overhearing discussions about a possible fire, though she couldn't personally confirm the information.
This incident follows a tragic collision between an American Eagle jet and a military helicopter near Reagan Airport in Washington DC two months ago. The January crash resulted in 67 fatalities, including members of the US figure skating team.
Aviation safety has become a growing concern among American travelers. Recent data from The Associated Press-NORC Center shows a significant decline in passenger confidence, with only 64% feeling safe on flights compared to 71% last year.
A congressional hearing on March 27 emphasized that the January crash was preventable, highlighting the need for enhanced safety measures in commercial aviation.
Industry veterans maintain that flying remains one of the safest forms of transportation despite recent incidents.
Jeff Baum, a pilot with over 50 years of experience and president of Wisconsin Aviation, offered perspective on current aviation safety: "Flying is so safe that your most dangerous part of the flight is actually driving to the airport and driving home."
However, Baum acknowledged that the series of high-profile accidents marked a concerning start to the year for the aviation industry.
The American Airlines incident at Augusta Regional Airport resulted in significant disruption to Tuesday's flight schedule. The emergency evacuation of Flight 5406 triggered delays for other departures from Augusta. The FAA has launched an investigation into the maintenance issue that caused smoke to fill the cabin of the Bombardier CRJ900. American Airlines is cooperating fully with authorities to determine the cause of the smoke. No injuries were reported during the evacuation, highlighting the effectiveness of emergency protocols and crew response during the incident.
