DALLAS -- A Southwest Airlines flight from Phoenix bound for Dallas Love Field made an emergency landing in Albuquerque Sunday night after a malfunction of some kind produced smoke towards the rear of the plane. After making the emergency landing, passengers were evacuated quickly with some even jumping from the aircraft’s wing down onto the tarmac.
“It was nerve-racking,” said passenger Bo Tonkin. “We were holding each other's hands. It was pretty intense.”
A flight to remember. Something I hope I never experience again. You see these things in movies and never expect it to happen to you! Most importantly everyone is safe but man what a scare! @CNN @NBCDFW @CBS @wfaa @PhilthaThrill pic.twitter.com/BvwAqqIOZC
David Fleck told WFAA he first realized something was wrong when the plane started to descend just an hour into the flight. Then, flight attendants began telling everyone on-board they would be making an emergency landing and to keep their heads down. One attendant asked Fleck if he knew how to open the emergency door since he was sitting on an exit row.
The landing itself was not rough or bumpy according to Fleck who said he did not smell smoke while on-board. However, he did say the plane came to an abrupt stop once it touched down and several fire trucks were already waiting on their arrival. Videos on social media posted by passengers show some sliding down the inflatable chute during the evacuation while others were forced to jump down from the plane’s wing. In one video, someone can be heard yelling “move away from the aircraft.
“Some people had ramps or slides but some had to jump off the wing,” said passenger Paul Allen. “That was pretty harrowing, as well."
The Albuquerque Fire Department said in a tweet that two passengers were taken to the hospital. Upon arrival at Love Field, a family told WFAA one of their family members was injured while trying to jump from the wing.
After waiting for a while on the tarmac, passengers were eventually put on another plane and made it to Love Field around 3 a.m.
Southwest Airlines sent the following statement to WFAA:
"Flight 3562 traveling last evening from Phoenix Sky Harbor to Dallas Love Field diverted to Albuquerque International Sunport after our Crew noted an unusual smell the cabin. The Captain declared an emergency to receive priority handling from air traffic controllers after deviating from the filed flight plan. After safely landing, 140 passengers evacuated the aircraft on a clear taxiway. Initial reports indicate five Customers requested assessment by medical personnel. Our People in Albuquerque worked to get Customers onboard another aircraft to continue their journey to Dallas. The diverted aircraft will remain in Albuquerque until our Mechanics inspect and clear its return to service."