Smoke In Cockpit Prompts Emergency Landing

Smoke filled the cockpit of an American Airlines flight from Puerto Rico on Wednesday, forcing an emergency landing, an airport official said.

CBS station WFOR-TV reports that seven people - the pilot, co-pilot, three flight attendants and two passengers - suffered injuries and were rushed to a Florida hospital.

None of the injuries was considered life threatening, WFOR reported.

The plane had left San Juan for Philadelphia and landed safely at Palm Beach International Airport, said Casandra Davis, an airport spokeswoman.

American Airlines spokeswoman Mary Frances Fagan said the captain reported smoke in the cockpit about two hours into the trip of Flight 1738.

As the plane made its descent into the airport in West Palm Beach, the inner window pane cracked and sprayed glass into the cockpit. The outer window pane was not damaged and the plane did not lose cabin pressure, she said.

One passenger told WFOR, "They turned off the lights and the flight attendants began to check if there was any fire in the cabin. There was no fire, but later we were told there was smoke in the cockpit, and they briefed us on the emergency landing procedures - both on the ground and water."

The plane, a Boeing 757, carried 139 passengers and a crew of seven.

Fagan said another plane was being brought in from Fort Lauderdale to complete the flight to Philadelphia. Passengers were expected to arrive at their destination after two o'clock in the morning.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.