Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Fumes on plane in Las Vegas send several people to hospital

Planes Take Off From McCarran

Steve Marcus

A Spirit Airlines passenger jet takes off from McCarran International Airport June 5, 2017.

Updated Wednesday, May 8, 2019 | 5:48 p.m.

Several people were sent to the hospital Wednesday morning after they were overcome by fumes on a Spirit Airlines plane preparing to depart Las Vegas, McCarran International Airport officials said.

Flight 170 had pushed back from the gate and was taxiing to take off when the incident was reported about 8:30 a.m., said airport spokeswoman Christine Crews, who noted eight people were taken to the hospital, including crew members and one medical responder, who had a medical episode unrelated to the fumes.

Seven others were checked out, Crews said. In a statement, the airline said three passengers were hospitalized, adding that at least one had been discharged.

Expounding on the incident, the airline said the smell, described as “resembling oil,” was noticed “shortly” after the boarding door was closed.

The flight was heading to Minneapolis.

“The door was immediately opened and our guests and crew exited the aircraft,” spokesman Derek Dombrowski said in the statement.

The plane was taken out of circulation for inspection and maintenance, and the airline was working with travelers to provide meal vouchers, full refunds and future travel coupons.

“Safety is our top priority, and we apologize for the inconvenience,” Dombrowski said.

Another Spirit jet, an Airbus A321, was grounded Friday after a similar incident, the Associated Press reported.

Flight 630, heading to Denver, had to turn around and land in Los Angeles after a report of fumes in the cockpit and cabin, the AP said.

One passenger was taken to the hospital for evaluation, the AP reported. Dombrowski described the fumes on that flight as an “unknown odor.”