MESA, Ariz. (AP) — An Allegiant Airlines flight was forced to return to the airport in Mesa, Ariz., after the pilot reported smoke in the cockpit.
Airport spokesman Brian Sexton says Flight 174 had taken off from the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport just before 8 a.m. Monday. The jetliner was about 20 miles out when the pilot reported the aircraft was returning.
The MD-83 was headed to Pasco, Wash., with 147 passengers and five crew members on board.
A spokeswoman for Las Vegas-based Allegiant says the problem was fumes and heat in the cabin and there was no actual smoke. Jordan McGee says a replacement aircraft is being brought in to take the passengers to Pasco.
Fire crews met the jet at the runway and it returned to the gate. The passengers offloaded normally.
