On Tuesday, 1 April 2025, passengers aboard American Eagle flight 5406 faced an emergency evacuation in Augusta, GA due to smoke in the cabin.
The flight, operated by PSA Airlines, had just landed at Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) in Georgia after a short trip from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT).
What started as a routine journey quickly turned chaotic, leaving travelers shaken but unharmed.
American AA5406 Charlotte-Augusta
The Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft took off from Charlotte at around 9:13 local time. The regional flight touched down in Augusta at approximately 9:50am, after a 36-minute flight.
As the plane taxied to the gate, passengers and crew noticed smoke or a haze filling the cabin. Without hesitation, the crew initiated an emergency evacuation.
Video footage captured by passenger Sean O’Conor showed people exiting through emergency doors, climbing onto the plane’s wing, and jumping to the tarmac below. The swift response ensured everyone’s safety.
American Airlines later confirmed the incident stemmed from a “maintenance issue” after the plane landed safely.
All passengers were deplaned and escorted to the terminal without any reported injuries.
“The safety of our customers is our top priority, and we apologize for the inconvenience,” a spokesperson for American Airlines said in a statement.
The aircraft, registered as N612NN, is a 5.3 year old Bombardier CRJ900 regional aircraft. It is configured with seating for 76 passengers in a two-class layout. Following the incident, the scheduled return flight due to depart to Charlotte at 11 am was canceled.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the smoke.
The incident raises questions about aircraft maintenance and safety protocols—issues the FAA will likely address in its probe. American Eagle flight AA5406’s sudden emergency evacuation in Augusta serves as a reminder of how quickly situations can escalate in air travel.
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