Passengers on an American Eagle flight bound for Philadelphia were forced to evacuate onto the runway at Lambert St. Louis International Airport on Saturday. The incident occurred shortly after the aircraft, operated by PSA Airlines, made an emergency landing due to a reported odor and haze in the cabin.
Flight AA5089 had already experienced significant delays before takeoff. The Bombardier CRJ900 was scheduled to depart at 6:00 AM local time but was held back for more than two hours due to an engine problem. Passengers reported hearing loud buzzing and grinding noises from the rear of the aircraft while waiting on the tarmac.
Emergency Landing and Runway Evacuation
The aircraft finally departed at 8:13 AM. According to passengers Tessa and Mark Springer, the flight encountered trouble almost immediately. They described the plane abruptly slowing down, followed by a loud bang and a sudden drop in altitude. Oxygen masks dropped from the ceiling as the cabin filled with haze.
The pilots requested an emergency landing back at St. Louis. The jet landed safely at 8:59 AM. Flight attendants then ordered an immediate evacuation. Some passengers jumped down from the wing onto the runway while others helped each other descend. Olivia Clancy, another passenger, shared video footage showing crew members shouting instructions to evacuate quickly and run once they were off the plane.
Passengers waited beside the runway for transport back to the terminal. The Springers told First Alert 4 that the experience was terrifying, with the couple feeling they were “going to die” and sending final messages to loved ones. Clancy noted that American Airlines and airport staff provided little guidance on where to go after the evacuation.
Airline Response and Passenger Compensation
An American Airlines spokesperson confirmed the details of the incident to FOX 2. The statement read: “American Eagle flight 5089, operated by PSA Airlines, returned to St. Louis Lambert International Airport shortly after takeoff after a reported odor. The aircraft landed safely at STL and was taken out of service to be inspected by our maintenance team.” The airline has not yet explained the specific cause of the odor or why the oxygen masks deployed.
The aircraft involved, registered as N574NN, is an 11-year-old CRJ900 capable of seating 76 passengers. It remains on the ground in St. Louis for inspection. American Airlines stated that all affected passengers were rebooked onto later flights on Saturday.
Compensation for the disruption drew criticism. Clancy reported that she and her family were offered $12 each in food vouchers. She described the amount as a “slap in the face,” noting it is the standard voucher American Airlines provides for delays of three hours or more. Passengers have also questioned why the aircraft was cleared for flight after the initial engine-start problem.
Source: Simple Flying
