Smoke in Cabin Forces Emergency Evacuation at DCA
Passengers on Mesa Airlines flight 6122, operating as United Express from DC's Reagan Airport (DCA) to Houston's George Bush International Airport (IAH), had to evacuate the plane on the taxiway Sunday afternoon after smoke was detected in the cabin.
A transportation reporter for the Washington Post posted the following statement from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority on Twitter:
Passengers and crew exited the 70-seat Embraer E-170 regional jet via emergency slide, "'without incident and continued to the gate," according to the Post. The cause of the smoke has yet to be determined.
A United spokesperson says, "We are currently investigating the cause and are working with our team to secure alternate flights for customers onboard."
Another Washington Post reporter posted the following video of the evacuation:
No injuries have been reported, and “normal airport operations have resumed, and the aircraft is being checked by airline personnel,” according to airport authorities.
