On Sunday, September 8, 2024, Southwest Airlines flight WN984, operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8, made an unexpected landing at Ontario International Airport. The crew reported a “smell of smoke” in the cabin, prompting the emergency landing. The aircraft, registered as N1807U, had departed from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) at 19:20, slightly delayed from its scheduled departure time of 19:05. After taking off from runway 7L, the flight initially followed its planned northwest trajectory towards its destination, San Francisco International Airport (SFO). However, the flight path changed significantly at approximately 19:50. Flight data from Flightradar24 indicates the aircraft altered its course, descending and turning southeast over Victorville. The plane flew over the San Bernardino National Forest before continuing its descent. At 20:24, the plane aligned for its final approach and landed safely on runway 26R at 20:29.
While the exact source of the smoke smell remains unclear, officials suspect it may have been related to the Line Fire, a rapidly growing wildfire near the base of the San Bernardino Mountains. By Saturday evening, the fire had scorched over 17,200 acres, threatening approximately 4,800 homes. With 0% containment at the time of the incident, the smoke from this wildfire was likely responsible for the odor detected onboard the aircraft.
Southwest Airlines acted swiftly to ensure the safety of passengers and crew, dispatching a replacement aircraft to complete the journey to San Francisco. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential hazards posed by wildfires and the importance of air safety protocols.
