An American Airlines regional jet flying to Kansas City from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport made an emergency landing and evacuated passengers on the tarmac due to smoke in the cabin moments before landing.
The American Eagle CRJ-900 had a congressman on board.
🚨 NEW: An American Eagle CRJ-900 with a congressman on board made an emergency landing and evacuated on the tarmac on Friday after smoke was reported in the cabin moments before landing
American Eagle flight 5318, operated by PSA Airlines, was flying to Kansas City from Ronald… pic.twitter.com/tPtcd34Qmh
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) May 16, 2026
CNN shared further:
Congressman Tracey Mann, who represents much of western Kansas, was on the flight and posted photos and video of passengers climbing out onto the wing.
“There was smoke on our aircraft and so we landed and are now sitting on the tarmac,” he said in a video posted to Facebook. “Really appreciate our first responders, folks from fire.”
The FAA will investigate the incident, according to a statement from the agency.
“The safety of our customers and team members is our top priority, and we are sorry for their experience,” American said.
“Bluestreak 5318, declaring an emergency. We’re landing,” the pilot said, according to the outlet.
All 76 passengers evacuated onto the taxiway.
Watch Mann’s video below:
An American Eagle regional CRJ-900 jet with 76 people onboard made an emergency landing at Kansas City International Airport after smoke reportedly filled the cabin moments before touchdown on May 15.
The American Eagle Flight 5318, operated by PSA Airlines, was flying to Kansas… pic.twitter.com/m5bjKWWuH6
— FL360aero (@fl360aero) May 16, 2026
KMBC has more:
One passenger told KMBC 9 he noticed an odor just before the plane landed.
“Next thing you know, we come down and we landed, smooth landing. Made one turn, stopped real abruptly, and captain come aboard and said, ‘Everybody get off the plane now,’” said Gary Wolfe. “And everybody started pushing out the emergency exits, and here we are.”
Other passengers described a panicked scene on the aircraft, as people reportedly gathered on the wings and had to decide whether to jump down.
“There was a flight attendant on a passenger seat and she started screaming that everybody should get off,” said passenger Karen Shaines. “But screaming, I mean, panicked screaming, which wasn’t great.”
“I just tried to catch as many people as I could because they were basically making the choice do I jump and hurt myself or stay with the plane that may be on fire,” said Brittany Wilkerson, another passenger.
