A Swiss International Air Lines flight was forced to make an emergency landing after smoke was reported in the business class cabin. The aircraft, flight LX16 traveling from Zurich to New York, diverted to Bangor International Airport in Maine on Monday morning, the airline said.
Incident Details
The plane landed safely without further incident, prompting a temporary 30-minute closure of the runway. The runway reopened around 12:30 p.m. local time, according to airport spokesperson Aimee Thibodeau.
Michael Pelzer, a spokesperson for Swiss International Air Lines, confirmed that all 208 passengers and crew members were safe. Firefighters inspected the aircraft after landing but found no signs of fire or heat.
Investigation Underway
The cause of the smoke has not yet been identified. Pelzer said a thorough inspection would be carried out as part of an investigation and stressed the airline would not speculate on the cause until the process was completed.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is also investigating. In an email, FAA spokesperson Steve Kulm said the crew had reported a cockpit fire, but noted the information was preliminary and subject to change. The FAA's account differed from the airline's description of smoke in the business class section.
Passenger Support
The flight had been scheduled to arrive at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. Pelzer said the airline was coordinating with Bangor International Airport and working to find a suitable solution for affected passengers as quickly as possible.
