Firefighters surrounding an Allegiant Airlines MD-83 that made an emergency landing in Flagstaff Sunday (Brandon Neuman/NAZ Today)
FLAGSTAFF (NAZ Today)– A possible engine fire has caused a commercial airliner to make an emergency landing at the Flagstaff Airport.
Allegiant Airlines flight 645 from Billings, MT to Phoenix, declared an emergency and was diverted to Flagstaff for an emergency landing, FAA spokesman Ian Gregor confirmed to NAZ Today. Gregor says that the plane landed without incident at 10:37 am, and passengers used the emergency slides to exit the aircraft.
Flagstaff Police confirmed to APSN that three people were transported to the hospital with minor injuries after exiting the aircraft. It is unclear if those injuries were suffered while the passengers were exiting the aircraft.
The City of Flagstaff has closed the airport because the plane is on the runway, according to Mayor Sara Presler (via Twitter). Gregor says that the Flagstaff Airport does not have the proper tow bar to pull the plane off of the runway, but one is being trucked in from Phoenix overnight.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will handle the investigation, says Gregor.
We will continue to update this story as we gather more information.
Video and Photos Below:
Interview with passenger Josh Hankinson-
Interview with passenger Suzanne Rhodes-
An Allegiant Airlines MD-83 on the runway at Flagstaff after making an emergency landing. Passenger submitted photo taken after they were evacuated from the airplane.
Fire crews talk with the flight crew from the Allegiant Air aircraft. (Brandon Neuman / NAZ Today)
The tail section of the MD-83 which had to make an emergency landing at Pulliam Airport in Flagstaff (Brandon Neuman / NAZ Today)
Quick coverage! Great job! So glad you guys are keeping the community informed!
Come on guys. Get the proper tow bar! I’m stuck overnight in LA because of this and have to fly into PHX tomorrow and take a shuttle back to FLG. This is a major inconvenience…
Thanks for the great coverage. Can’t wait for you to get back on daily news on Ch 4. Till then, thanks for this great site.
i was on this plane, it was very unexpected but the crew handled it very well and did an excellent job at getting everyone off and keeping people calm. i’ve flown on allegiant many times and i love this airline!
I watched this as I sat with my helicopter on the ramp and caught most of it on video. The pilot did a great job and handled this per the book.
Kudos.
If you want video of the evac let me know
Jeff, I would like the video. Can you post a link or email it to me?
I was on the plane – Jeff can you please send me the video – Thanks
I was on the plane- pilot did a great landing. Jeff would you send/link me to your video?
Thank you.
We too were on the flight 645. What a story to tell to our kids and grandkids for years to come. Jeff we would love to have a copy of the video. How can we get one?
Just an airplane buff who loves great pilots who do their jobs to perfection when called upon in less than perfect conditions. Perhaps not Sully, but whenever a pilot has to make an emergency landing, they’re all heroes in my eyes. Great job to the crew! Link to the landing and or evacuation videos please, thank you.