ALBAWABA - Social networking sites buzzed in the past few hours with videos of a smoke-filled airplane in mid-air after it collided with a flock of birds, an incident that caused panic and distraught among frightened passengers.
A Southwest Airlines plane's cabin was filled with black smoke shortly after takeoff. According to news reports, when the Boeing 737 took off from Havana airport in Cuba, a flock of birds struck one of the aircraft's engine, setting it ablaze.
Consequently, thick black smoke penetrated into the cabin.
Passengers experienced terrifying moments in Southwest flight from Cuba to FLL after birds struck one of the engines which caused it to catch fire and cabin to fill up with smoke. Plane landed back in Havana, Cuba. The airline only reported minor injuries?| #ONLYinDADE pic.twitter.com/KzRdp3gXwC
— ONLY in DADE (@ONLYinDADE) March 6, 2023
There were no immediate reports of injuries.
Loud screams were heard in videos taken by some passengers aboard the flight and posted on social media platforms.
A Southwest flight from Havana, Cuba, to Ft. Lauderdale, FL, was forced to turn around and make an emergency landing in Havana on March 5, after it struck a flock of birds in mid-air shortly after takeoff pic.twitter.com/yKzhFg1YBq
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) March 7, 2023
The videos showed that some of the passengers tried to release their oxygen masks after the cabin was covered in smoke, chocking many.
The pilot quickly turned back to Cuba's capital Havana and landed safely.
Passengers used the emergency slides to exit the aircraft.
The flight was en route to Fort Lauderdale. It had 147 passengers and six crew members on board.
