TOCUMEN AIRPORT

Place forced to land for smoke

08-17-2009 | EFE

Panama Star PANAMA. An American Airlines airplane that took off from the Tocumen International Airport, had turn around and make an emergency landing yesterday morning, after the crew detected smoke in one the cabin, said official sources.

The incident occurred approximately at 7:49 a.m.

The Boeing 752 was carrying approximately 27,000 pounds of fuel.

The flight 960 was scheduled to fly from Panama to Miami.

A spokesman of the Panama Civil Aviation Authority, Angel Raul Aguilar said that 40 minutes after the plane departed from Tocumen with its 194 passengers, the craft had to return to the Panamanian airport after the crew detected smoke in the cabin.

The plane captain contacted the Tocumen Airport control tower to report the problem and decide what action to take next.

The traffic controller immediately authorized the emergency landing.

Later on, an emergency was declared at the Tocumen Airport.

Ambulances, fire engines, airport personnel and Civil Protection Services representatives came to the runway to give support to the passengers and the crew.

The plane landed without incidents and everybody was safe on the ground.

The airport authorities started an enquiry to find out the causes of the mechanical failure in the American Airlines flight 960.

Meanwhile, the passengers disembarked the plane, so it could be checked and ascertain the magnitude of the mechanical failure and determine if it was fit to fly to Miami or if the passengers would to wait for another plane.

American Airlines operates daily flights from Panama to Miami.