Smoke on plane sparks airport scare

Wellington Airport. Photo: NZ Herald
Wellington Airport. Photo: NZ Herald
A full-scale emergency situation at Wellington Airport is over after a plane filled with smoke landed safely on the runway this morning.

A third alarm situation was called about 7.45am when there was a report that an incoming aircraft had filled with smoke.

Six fire crews were initially called to the airport, before several other appliances were sent because of the potential danger.

A central fire communications spokeswoman told The New Zealand Herald there were reports that the cockpit of the aircraft - as well as the cabin area - had filled with smoke.

It was not known at that stage if there was a fire on the plane.

The aircraft, however, landed safely and the smoke was said to have dissipated by then, authorities said.

Police said they had received a request from Fire and Emergency NZ to cordon roads around the airport, a spokeswoman said.

Just after 8am, however, police said they had been stood down and no cordons had been put up. 

A member of the public shared a photo of the runway just before 8am, saying: "Something is happening at Wellington Airport. Lots of police, ambulances and fire engines."

The Wellington Free Ambulance service sent four ambulances but no one required medical treatment.

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