Airplane evacuated at John Wayne airport with smoke showing

ByABC7.com staff KABC logo
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
Airplane evacuated at John Wayne airport with smoke showing
A Southwest 737 was forced to turn around and evacuate at John Wayne Airport after a report of smoke inside the aircraft.

SANTA ANA, Calif. -- A flight from John Wayne Airport was forced to turn around and evacuate due to a report of smoke in the aircraft.

The Southwest 737 was bound for San Jose but had to turn around and evacuate passengers using a slide before it was able to fully return to the gate.

The plane's 139 passengers and five crew members on flight 2123 were all evacuated safely and the fire was extinguished.

Airport officials said the smoke was caused by a fire in the auxiliary power unit.

The incident was first reported around 7:30 p.m.

A few minor injuries were reported, but none requiring a hospital transport.