Las Vegas Sun

December 2, 2009

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HazMat team investigates odor on airliner at McCarran

By Mary Manning (contact)

Published Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009 | 6:01 p.m.

Updated Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009 | 7:08 p.m.

A Southwest Airlines flight was moved away from its gate Thursday night at McCarran International Airport while a hazardous materials team investigated a mysterious odor on the plane.

The Clark County Fire Department's hazardous materials truck and team responded to the area shortly after 5:30 p.m. as the plane arrived from Kansas City. Mo.

The 116 passengers and crew members were taken off the airliner while a HazMat crew investigated, said Chris Jones, spokesman for the Clark County Department of Aviation.

While firefighters were told that pepper spray had been released inside the plane, investigators said smoking wires may have caused the irritating odor. There is no indication that pepper spray was discharged inside the plane, Jones said.

Passengers sitting at the rear of the plane complained of burning and itchy eyes.

Fire officials quarantined the plane and removed passengers as they continued investigating the unknown odor Thursday night.

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