American Airlines flight AA2118, travelling from Orlando to Phoenix, made an emergency landing at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Sunday after a report of a sharp-smelling gas in the cabin and cockpit during the flight. Four flight attendants and one passenger were transported to hospital as a precaution.
Diversion decision following sharp gas smell report
According to a statement by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), after the aircraft departed Orlando, the crew noticed a sharp-smelling gas. The captain then decided to divert the aircraft to Houston in accordance with standard procedures.
The aircraft landed safely at around 19:10 local time.
The FAA announced that an investigation has been launched into the cause of the incident.
First response teams met the aircraft at the gate
In a statement from American Airlines, it was noted that the aircraft taxied to the gate under its own power and that first responders were waiting on the apron. The airline emphasised that the transfer of the five affected individuals to hospital was “purely precautionary.”
The airline added the following:
“We thank our team members for their professionalism, and we apologise to our customers for the experience they had.”
HFD: “We received a gas report, there was no smoke”
A spokesperson for the Houston Fire Department (HFD) stated that teams were informed about a complaint of a sharp-smelling gas, but no smoke or fire report was received. As the aircraft arrived at the gate, HFD teams conducted medical checks and transported five people to hospital.
No official update has yet been provided regarding their condition.
Flight continued with a replacement aircraft
American Airlines stated that flight AA2118 continued to Phoenix with a replacement aircraft following the incident.
Investigations into the source of the sharp smell are ongoing, and the cause is currently unknown.
Similar incidents have occurred in the past
According to reports, such emergency returns due to odours have happened before:
In October, a Delta Air Lines aircraft returned after a passenger brought spoiled food on board, causing a bad smell.
In April, an Alaska Airlines flight from Portland to Las Vegas returned to the airport due to a “strong odour” in the cabin after take-off.
