An American Airlines regional plane carrying members of Congress made an emergency landing on Friday and was evacuated on the tarmac after smoke appeared in the cabin shortly before landing.
The FAA said American Eagle Flight 5318, operated by PSA Airlines, was en route from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Kansas City when the report was received.
“Bluestreak 5318, emergency declared. We’re landing,” the PSA pilot said as the plane was still two miles away from landing, according to air traffic control audio recordings captured by Broadcastify.
As the CRJ-900 regional jet landed, other aircraft circled the airport and all 76 passengers were evacuated onto the taxiway.
Congressman Tracey Mann, who represents much of western Kansas, was on the plane and posted photos and videos of passengers climbing on the wings.
Rep. Tracey Mann posted photos and video of passengers climbing on the wings of American Eagle Flight 5318 after it made an emergency landing in Kansas City on Friday, May 15. – From Rep. Tracey Mann
“There was smoke on our plane, so we landed and are now sitting on the tarmac,” he said in a video posted on Facebook. “A huge thank you to our first responders, the folks from the fire.”
The FAA will investigate the incident, according to a statement from the agency.
American Airlines said: “The safety of our customers and team members is our top priority and we are sorry for their experience.”
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