AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Passengers on a Southwest Airlines jet have used slides to evacuate after the pilot reported an odor in the cabin, declared an emergency and safely returned to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
Airport spokesman Jason Zielinski says nobody was hurt in Tuesday morning’s incident involving Flight 481 bound for Dallas Love Field.
Southwest spokeswoman Michelle Agnew says emergency personnel on the ground observed a “hot spot” on the wing and recommended the jet not pull up to the terminal. The captain deployed evacuation slides for the 107 passengers and five-member crew.
Agnew says there was no fire or smoke reported in the cabin. She didn’t elaborate on the hot spot. Officials are seeking the source of the odor.
Zielinski says the jet landed less than 25 minutes after takeoff.