Flight diverted after light warns cabin door may not be properly secured
American Airlines says flight 5550 from Nashville to Washington, D.C., diverted to Knoxville's McGhee Tyson Airport Monday after at least 30 minutes of flight, when an indicator light warned that a cabin door may not be properly secured, CBS News transportation correspondent Kris Van Cleave reports.
The airline believes it was a technical fault, as the door would have alarmed in "multiple places" before takeoff if it was not properly secured.
The incident, however, prompted some reaction on social media.
"Halfway through my flight w/ @AmericanAir and emergency landing, the passenger door wasn't fully closed," one user posted. "Filming the next #FinalDestination?"
Halfway through my flight w/ @AmericanAir and emergency landing, the passenger door wasn't fully closed😵 Filming the next #FinalDestination?
— [ kuh-TALLY-oh ] (@Katalio) May 8, 2017
At least one user, however, defended the airline.
"American Airlines is a fantastic Airlines," a tweet said. "The crew handled the mishap safely and efficiently."
@kaleekreider @AmericanAir American Airlines is a fantastic Airlines. The crew handled the mishap safely and efficiently.
— Michael Wiley (@MinneMike) May 8, 2017
The CRJ-200 regional jet, operated by PSA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Airlines, was checked on the ground in Knoxville and later departed for Washington's Reagan National Airport, where it landed at 12:25 p.m. ET. There were 47 passengers and three crew members on board.