Detroit-Bound United Airlines Embraer E170 Returns To Newark Airport And Evacuates After Smoke Reported

There were some tense moments at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) on Wednesday after a United Express flight to Detroit had to return due to reports of smoke inside. Thankfully, nobody was injured, and efforts were being made to accommodate passengers on a different flight.

United Express flight returns to Newark

On December 4, a regular scheduled flight between Newark and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) operated by United Express via Republic Airways had to turn around after the crew reported a burning smell.

The flight was being operated by an Embraer E170 plane, and Newark Airport was on full alert as it prepared for its emergency landing. Flight operations at the airport were also affected temporarily as the Federal Aviation Administration halted activity there. According to FOX 2, the Port Authority released a statement that said,

“Passengers have deplaned and were transported to Terminal C. The FAA temporarily held flight operations during that time. At 5:55pm, the airspace re-opened with flight activity resuming. United will provide further details.”

Newark Airport alerted passengers through social media about contacting their respective airlines about possible delays.

About the flight and aircraft

United Airlines and Delta Air Lines are major operators between Newark Airport and Detroit. The flight in question, UA 3439, is a scheduled service that left at 16:35 on Wednesday. However, not too long after takeoff, it was seen turning back to Newark, according to Flightradar24.

The aircraft involved in the incident is an almost 20-year-old Embraer E170 aircraft operated by Republic Airways. It can seat a total of 70 passengers in a three-class configuration – 48 in economy, 16 in economy plus, and six in business class.

According to ch-aviation, it had accumulated more than 40,000 hours across 24,983 flight cycles as of March 2019. That was five years ago, so these figures will be much higher now.

Smoke on an aircraft is taken extremely seriously as things can escalate quickly under such conditions once the plane is airborne. Airlines have protocols in place, and the FAA even issues alerts during the busy season, particularly for all-cargo airlines.

For example, in October, it issued a safety alert highlighting that the holiday season will increase the number of packages that include electronics with batteries. These items need to be packaged and carried with strict procedures to eliminate or reduce the chances of a fire onboard.

Still, every once in a while, there are reports of smoke being detected on airplanes. In September this year, a JetBlue Airbus A321 from New York to San Diego had to divert to Kansas after a cargo smoke indication went off.

In August, a JetBlue flight from Los Angeles to Boston faced some tense moments when its cabin was filled with smoke due to a malfunctioning cell phone. A passenger’s phone got stuck in a first class seat, and soon after, smoke started coming out of the seating area.

The cabin crew immediately jumped into action and controlled the situation by using a fire extinguisher. They decided to put the phone away in the lavatory and close the door, and were eventually praised for their quick thinking.