AIR POLLUTION

Five Hospitalized After ‘Odor’ on American Airlines Flight Forces Diversion

The Houston Fire Department was called to the scene.

A passenger plane was forced to divert, and five people were hospitalized after a foul smell was detected in the cabin. American Airlines flight 2118 landed in Texas on November 23, with the carrier stating that four crew members and one passenger were taken to the hospital as a precaution. The Federal Aviation Administration said the decision was made to put the Airbus 321 down in Houston “after the crew reported fumes in the flight deck and cabin.” It said the jet had taken off from “Orlando International Airport and was headed to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport,” before noting that it would investigate. “American Airlines flight 2118 landed safely and taxied to the gate under its own power… following reports of an odor on board,” the airline said in a statement to Fox Houston. A Houston Fire Department spokesperson told the Independent they were “advised of fumes but received no reports of smoke.” The status of the five and the cause of the stench are not yet known. The Daily Beast has contacted American Airlines for more information.