March 28th 2024.
Passengers waiting to board Frontier Airlines Flight 1759 at Charlotte Douglas International Airport were suddenly met with chaos and confusion as they were evacuated from the plane before it could take off. According to a Frontier Airlines spokesperson, a "strong odor" was detected onboard the aircraft, leading to the emergency evacuation. The flight, scheduled to depart for Orlando, Florida, was quickly halted as the captain issued an evacuation notice as a precautionary measure.
With 226 passengers on board, the evacuation process was swift and efficient. Using both slides and the jet bridge, everyone was able to safely exit the plane. However, one passenger did sustain minor injuries while using the slide and required medical attention from MEDIC. Another passenger, Guadalupe Ocampo, captured the chaotic scene on video as people made their way down the slide.
The airline expressed their concern and regret for the incident, stating that they are currently investigating the cause. According to initial reports, there was no visible smoke or fire observed. Frontier Airlines also assured that they will be reporting the incident to the appropriate authorities and conducting their own internal investigation.
For passengers like Michelle Satterley and her family, the situation started with a simple error message and a wait for maintenance personnel to resolve the issue. Satterley, who was en route to Disney World for spring break, told WSOC that she didn't think it would be a big deal and expected to take off after a short delay. However, the situation quickly escalated as announcements began blaring and the lights flickered with the command to "evacuate, evacuate now."
Fellow passenger Shayla Coxton shared a similar experience, stating that she and her family were also on their way to Disney World when the odor was detected. "In that moment, fight or flight," she told a local TV station. "I saw a few people panicking around me, and I immediately said we have to keep everybody calm because if there's a stampede, someone's gonna get hurt."
In the end, one passenger did sustain minor injuries from using the emergency slide, but thankfully, everyone was able to safely evacuate the aircraft. As a gesture of goodwill, Frontier Airlines announced that they will be providing all passengers with a $200 voucher towards future flights and accommodations for the night.
The Airbus A321neo, the aircraft involved in the incident, will also be thoroughly inspected by the airline to determine the cause of the odor. This is not the only incident in recent years where a strange smell has led to a plane evacuation. In October 2022, an American Airlines flight in Miami was evacuated due to a "chemical" odor coming from a passenger's carry-on baggage. Safety is always the top priority for airlines, and they are prepared to take necessary precautions to ensure the well-being of their passengers.
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