An American Airlines plane had to be evacuated in North Carolina after smoke was detected coming from the plane, with a flight attendant taken to a nearby hospital, according to officials.

All 50 passengers and three crew members were rushed off flight 5720 just as the smoke was reported just before it was about to take off early Thursday from Charlotte Douglas International Airport for Columbia, South Carolina, the Charlotte Observer reported.


american airlines glight about to depart
All 50 passengers and three crew were hurriedly evacuated from the plane. Anadolu via Getty Images

A flight attendant was taken to the hospital for precautionary evaluation, but no serious injuries were reported, the outlet said. It was not immediately clear how the staffer was hurt.

The Charlotte Fire Department responded and cleared the scene, and the plane was then towed off to the gate to be inspected by a maintenance team, according to the report.

The flight departed to Columbia on a replacement aircraft, the outlet reported — with FlightAware data showing it left nearly three hours late.

The flight, operated by Piedmont Airlines, reported mechanical issues, American Airlines said in a statement, apologizing to passengers for the scare.


american eagle flights docked at charlotte douglas international airport.
Passengers departed on a replacement aircraft later in the day after reported mechanical issues, the airline said. Anadolu via Getty Images

“We never want to disrupt our customers’ travel plans and apologize for the inconvenience this caused,” the airline stated.

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