SkyWest jet makes emergency landing at DuPage Airport
WEST CHICAGO (Sun-Times Media Wire) -- A SkyWest jet made an emergency landing at DuPage International Airport Monday morning after a report of smoke in the cockpit.
SkyWest Flight 2936, operating as an American Eagle regional flight, left O’Hare en route to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, “when the pilots reported possible smoke in the cockpit,” according to FAA spokesman Elizabeth Isham Cory.
The Bombardier CRJ-200 regional jet had 50 passengers, including an infant, and three crew members onboard, a SkyWest spokesman said.
The flight landed without incident, according to SkyWest said.
West Chicago Police Cmdr. Eric Shipman said everyone got off the plane safely and no injuries were reported.
Passengers said the plane was in the air for 7 to 10 minutes when smoke became visible in the cabin, though there was no smell of smoke.
“It was scary,” said passenger Tracy Stuhr. “There was smoke visible and you never know.”
Colleen Redington said, “The cabin started filling up with smoke,” and, “They said there was an issue oin the cargo hold.”
“Everyone stayed pretty calm though it was very stressful waiting to land.”
Yaw Agyeman said he woke up to a smoke in the cabin.
“They said something about mist but it didn’t smell like mist.” He said the plane made a “safe landing” and “everybody is fine.”
The plane made an emergency landing at DuPage Airport in West Chicago about 9 a.m., she said. The Bombardier CRJ-200 regional jet has a passenger capacity of 26.
Passenger Robin Walenta said, “Everyone was pretty calm. We were concerned, but nobody panicked.”
SkyWest said passengers were being transported by bus back to O’Hare and “will be accommodated on other flights to Cedar Rapids,” SkyWest said. “We are working to help passengers resume their travels as quickly as possible.”
But not Walenta. She said her party had rented a car for the rest of the trip to Cedar Rapids. “We’re not getting back on a plane.”
Shipman said no smoke was visible by the time the police and fire departments arrived, adding, “I don’t know if there was a fire at all.”
SkyWest said its mechanics are investigating the cause of the smoke. The FAA is also investigating the incident.