Passengers on a Southwest Flight from Phoenix to Dallas were forced to jump off the plane’s wing after the crew noticed a strange smell.
Footage of the incident has emerged, where flyers can be heard asking questions to the crew who were telling people to “calm down”.
According to one passenger, David Fleck, himself and other flyers were surprised there were no emergency slides near the exit door.
“It felt wrong when you’re up there. It was dark, cold and rainy.
“It was disorienting. (You think), ‘Do I really just jump down?'”
The man who recorded the incident and uploaded it to his Twitter page, Brandon Cox, said he was forced to send messages to loved ones during the ordeal.
“I sent a couple texts out to loved ones that you just don’t really have to send out.”
Cox said he remembers “hitting the ground really hard” having jumped from the wing onto the tarmac, a height of almost three metres.
Cox said when describing the experience as “A flight to remember. Something I hope I never experience again.”
“You see these things in movies and never expect it to happen to you! Most importantly everyone is safe but man what a scare!”
According to The Sun, The Albuquerque Fire Department publicly stated people had been taken to the hospital.
Speaking to The Sun, Southwest Airlines said:
“Flight 3562 travelling last evening from Phoenix Sky Harbour to Dallas Love Field diverted to Albuquerque International Sunport after our Crew noted an unusual smell the cabin.
“The Captain declared an emergency to receive priority handling from air traffic controllers after deviating from the filed flight plan.
“After safely landing, 140 passengers evacuated the aircraft on a clear taxiway.
“Initial reports indicate five Customers requested assessment by medical personnel.
“Our People in Albuquerque worked to get Customers on board another aircraft to continue their journey to Dallas.
“The diverted aircraft will remain in Albuquerque until our Mechanics inspect and clear its return to service.”
Watch the footage here:
