Passengers Forced to Evacuate American Airlines Flight After Smoke Fills Cabin at San Francisco Airport
Passengers on American Airlines Flight 2045 bound for Miami experienced a terrifying ordeal when smoke filled the cabin shortly before takeoff at San Francisco International Airport. The evacuation, which occurred at 12:30 p.m., left three people with minor injuries, with one individual requiring hospitalization.
Vienna resident Oliver Jankai, seated in the last row of the plane, described how a strange smell escalated into a flash flame under his seat, originating from a passenger’s backpack behind him. In a swift reaction, one of Jankai’s sons threw the backpack out of the plane through an emergency exit.
Contrary to passengers’ accounts, American Airlines released a statement attributing the smoke to a passenger’s bag, which was promptly removed by the crew as all customers evacuated the aircraft. Speculations arose that the source of the smoke could be a lithium battery, known to ignite if damaged or short-circuited.
Cellphone footage captured the chaotic atmosphere during the evacuation, with staff and passengers urging others to leave luggage behind in the pursuit of safety. Despite the urgency, some passengers hesitated, causing additional tension in the already frantic situation.
Passengers, including San Francisco resident Shilpa Patel en route to a bachelorette party, recounted the harrowing experience of chaos and fear as smoke filled the cabin. The Federal Aviation Administration has announced an investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the smoke and ensure passenger safety in future flights.
