Delta flight makes emergency landing in Cape Girardeau

A Delta MD-80 commercial flight made an emergency landing at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport Sunday afternoon due to smoke in the aircraft's cockpit and cabin.

A total of 132 passengers were evacuated from the airplane, which was flying from Atlanta to St. Louis. No one was injured or requested medical attention.

Battalion chief Fred Vincel said the aircraft was landing at the airport as fire engines arrived on scene around 3:30 p.m.

Delta, Jackson and Scott City fire crews also responded to the scene.

Sean McMahn of Atlanta said the smell of smoke was strong right before landing.

"It was a little scary," he said.

Alabama resident Crystal Light said there was no announcement made from the pilot on what was happening or where they were landing.

"He was probably getting us where we needed to be, safely," Light said. "Things got crazy in the cabin for a little bit."

About 5 p.m. Vincel said his crews didn't believe there was any hazard with the aircraft and could no longer smell smoke on board.

According to a report from the Cape Girardeau Fire Department, firefighters boarded the plane to check for areas that could have been the cause of the smoke. When no apparent source was located, all systems were shut down and the plane was turned back over to the crew and a FAA official on site.

Delta was flying in mechanics and hoped to fly the plane out today.

Buses were brought in to transport passengers to the St. Louis area.

ehevern@semissourian.com

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Pertinent Address:

Cape Girardeau Regional Airport