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Miami-bound plane from Tallahassee makes emergency landing in Tampa

 
Published April 25, 2014

TAMPA

Smoke in cockpit forces plane to land

An American Airlines plane bound for Miami made an emergency landing at Tampa International Airport on Thursday after reporting smoke in the cockpit while the plane was still in flight, Tampa Fire Rescue said.

The smoke was reported at 9:15 p.m. and the plane landed at 9:20 p.m., said airport spokeswoman Janet Zink. A rescue crew responded to the airport. The plane landed safely and no injuries were reported, Fire Rescue said. The plane left from Tallahassee and carried 50 people, Zink said.

The cause of the smoke was unknown Thursday night, she said.

Miami-Dade Schools superintendent Alberto Carvalho was apparently one of the people aboard.

At 9:15 p.m., he tweeted: "In for emergency landing after taking off from Tallahassee after loud explosion and smoke. Attempting to land in Tampa."

Thirteen minutes later, he tweeted again: "Landed in Tampa after lengthy maintenance delay in Tally and explosion and smoke forced a tense aggressive landing. Safe."

At 10:05 p.m., he posted a "selfie" from inside TIA with a number of people, including U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Miami.