Local
American Eagle flight bound for Philadelphia returns to St. Louis after takeoff
Passengers on Flight 5089 said oxygen masks dropped and they saw smoke before the plane made an emergency return to St. Louis on Oct. 17. The airline said the aircraft landed safely after a reported odor and was removed from service for inspection.
An American Eagle flight bound for Philadelphia returned to St. Louis Lambert International Airport shortly after takeoff on Saturday, Oct. 17, after passengers reported smoke and deployed oxygen masks in the cabin.
The flight, numbered 5089 and operated by PSA Airlines, had been delayed for hours before departing. Passenger Olivia Clancy told KSDK in St. Louis that travelers were told before takeoff that the engines would not start. After the aircraft was cleared and refueled, Clancy said, she noticed problems with its thrust soon after it left the ground.
Clancy and another passenger, Tessa Springer, described panic as the plane turned back. Springer said she and her husband texted their children because they feared they might die. Clancy said passengers were told to run after exiting the plane.
American Airlines said the aircraft returned to St. Louis after a reported odor, landed safely and was taken out of service for inspection by the airline’s maintenance team. The company apologized to passengers and thanked its employees for their professionalism.
Passengers questioned why the aircraft was cleared to fly after the reported engine-start problem. Clancy also said the airline sent her four $12 food vouchers for her party, which she considered inadequate given the experience. The airline’s statement did not explain the earlier engine issue or what prompted the reported odor.