GR flight aborted when smoke fills cabin | News

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) -- The operator of a regional jet that aborted takeoff from Gerald R. Ford International Airport says it is working to get passengers rebooked onto other flights. At around 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, smoke filled the cabin of United Express flight 3654, forcing the crew and passengers to evacuate.

"At that point, the crew decided to discontinue the take off and stopped the aircraft on the runway. There were approximately 70 people on board. Those passengers were deplaned on the runway," says airport spokesman, Bruce Schedlbauer.

Joe Law, a flight 3654 passenger says, "Most people were calm until maybe a minute into it. The smoke must have been thicker in the back. We heard some people shouting and saying 'Go! Go! Get out! Leave your bags!'"

The crew was able to get everyone off the plane safely and no one suffered any injuries.

United workers will assist passengers in rebooking onto other Denver-bound flights, but some of the people from the plane tell WZZM 13 News they will likely have to wait until tomorrow before they will be able to leave Grand Rapids. 

United workers will assist passengers in rebooking onto other Denver-bound flights, but some of the people from the plane tell WZZM 13 News they will likely have to wait until tomorrow before they will be able to leave Grand Rapids.