An Allegiant flight en route to Bangor from Florida was diverted Wednesday to T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island, where it landed safely.
“Allegiance Flight 736, a McDonnell Douglas MD83 aircraft, landed safely at TF Green Airport at about 4:30 p.m.,” Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Jim Peters said Wednesday night.
“The flight crew declared an emergency enroute to Bangor International Airport in Maine due to a report of heat in the rear of the aircraft. Flight 736 took off from Orlando Sanford International Airport in Florida. The FAA will investigate,” Peters said.
A passenger told NBC 10 News that there was a smell of smoke about halfway through the flight.
An airport spokeswoman told WJAR TV that none of the 120 people on board the MD-80 was hurt. They deplaned on the tarmac and were taken to the terminal.
The Allegiant website reported the flight as delayed.
Bangor International Airport Director Tony Caruso said Wednesday night that Allegiant arranged to have the passengers brought to Bangor by bus. He did not have information about what time they would arrive.
Caruso said that those who had tickets for a Wednesday night Allegiant flight from Bangor to Florida that was canceled as a result of the diversion were given hotel rooms and vouchers.
A relief plane will be sent to Bangor on Thursday morning to collect those passengers for a 10:30 a.m. departure, Caruso said.