Dallas-Bound Southwest Flight Forced to Land in Albuquerque After Plane Fills With Smoke

A Phoenix-to-Dallas Southwest Airlines flight made an emergency landing in New Mexico late Sunday night after the plane's cabin began to fill with smoke. The Albuquerque Fire Department took two people to the hospital with minor injuries after 140 people were forced to either slide down the plane's emergency slides...

By Stephen Young

March 12, 2018

Southwest Airlines flight 3562. Maj. Max Geron via Twitter

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A Phoenix-to-Dallas Southwest Airlines flight made an emergency landing in New Mexico late Sunday night after the plane's cabin began to fill with smoke. The Albuquerque Fire Department took two people to the hospital with minor injuries after 140 people were forced to either slide down the plane's emergency slides or jump from the plane's wing.

One of those 140 passengers was Maj. Max Geron of the Dallas Police Department, an Observer contributor. Proving again that he's one of Dallas' best follows on Twitter, Geron documented his experience on the flight, all the way through his 3 a.m. arrival at Love Field. As usual, Geron, formerly a public information officer for DPD, kept everyone informed. In the process, he picked up some new Twitter followers and fielded plenty of questions from a concerned community in Dallas.

Just made an emergency landing in Albuquerque. @SouthwestAir flight attendants did a great job!
— Maj. Max Geron (@MaxDPD) March 12, 2018

Well I got to go down the slide pic.twitter.com/u4YDCmsHki
— Maj. Max Geron (@MaxDPD) March 12, 2018

Yes they did. Captain and first officer were top notch.
— Maj. Max Geron (@MaxDPD) March 12, 2018

Electrical problem and smoke in the cabin.
— Maj. Max Geron (@MaxDPD) March 12, 2018

The crew did a great job. A few minor injuries but otherwise everyone seems to be ok.
— Maj. Max Geron (@MaxDPD) March 12, 2018

Just boarded the continuation to get back to Dallas.
— Maj. Max Geron (@MaxDPD) March 12, 2018

pic.twitter.com/MtxMs3qoNo
— Michael Gruber (@tweetgrubes) March 12, 2018

That made me laugh. Thanks Grubes!
— Maj. Max Geron (@MaxDPD) March 12, 2018

According to a statement from Southwest, flight 3562's crew decided to make an emergency landing after smelling an unusual odor in the cabin. The captain told air traffic controllers about the emergency, and a runway was cleared for the plane to land and the passengers to get off. Five passengers, including the two who went to the hospital, received medical treatment at the scene. The plane will remain in Albuquerque for inspection before it makes additional flights, the airline said.

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