The cabin of a passenger plane filled with smoke after it landed at an airport in California, forcing terrified travellers to cover their mouths as firefighters boarded the jet.
Smoke started to fill the Allegiant Air jet while it was taxiing at Fresno Yosemite International Airport having flown from Las Vegas on Monday morning.
None of the 150 passengers on board were injured, a spokesman for the airline said.
According to one of the passengers, Frenso police officer Estevan Moreno, the plane came to an abrupt halt while moving across the runway before smoke began to fill the cabin.
Passengers being escorted from the Allegiant Air passenger jet at Frenso International Airport APThe 34-year-old said: “We used our shirts to mask our faces from the smoke. I was coughing pretty good from it."
Members of the flight crew reportedly said they would pass out wet napkins for passengers to cover their mouths, but all passengers were safely escorted from the plane following an emergency exit.
Mr Moreno said he has since been sent a $50 voucher by the airline for a future flight.
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In a statement, Allegiant Air blamed the incident on a “mechanical issue”.
It said: “While taxiing to the gate, a mechanical issue arose that caused a visible haze to appear toward the front of the aircraft.
“Out of an abundance of caution, the crew decided to stop short of the gate and passengers deplaned with any carry-on items via the rear stairs.
“Passengers proceeded to the terminal to pick up their baggage per normal procedures.”