Passenger plane makes emergency landing at Selma airport

SELMA, AL (WSFA) - An American Eagle flight on course for Washington D.C. made an emergency landing at Craig Field in Selma Wednesday.

Passengers said they were in the air, when the oxygen masks dropped down and they were told to put them on.

"They told us it was a malfunction with the breaks and that they saw smoke outside," passenger Shavonne Bowman said. "My heart started racing. I started praying, and I just followed the instructions."

According to media relations from American Airlines the plane was forced to land because of a burning smell coming from the cabin and cockpit.

The flight departed from New Orleans carrying 65 passengers and four crew members.

Two passengers were transferred to a local hospital in Selma with minor injuries, American Airlines confirmed. According to a statement from American Airlines, one of the two passengers has been released.

The plane landed around 11:40 a.m., and according to Executive Director of Craig Field Airport & Industrial Authority Menzo Driskell, the Selma Fire/Rescue Department responded almost immediately.

"Everything went smoothly," Driskell said.

According to Driskell, Dallas County school buses arrived at the airport and transported the 65 passengers on the flight to the hangars, while the Red Cross provided food and drinks.

"Everyone is in good spirits," Driskell said.

Many passengers said they were impressed with how the Selma and Montgomery first responders arrived and tended to them so quickly and effectively.

The passengers were bused to Montgomery Regional Airport to continue their flight to Washington D.C. Their flight left Montgomery at around 5:30 p.m.

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