Cause Attributed To Traces Of Cleaning Fluids In Motor

The smoke that poured into an El Al plane's cockpit Sunday -- forcing the evaluation of 126 passengers and six crew headed to Zurich -- was attributed to traces of cleaning fluids remaining in the aircraft's motor after routine maintenance last week, reported the Jerusalem Post.

The Boeing 737 reportedly sustained considerable damage from the smoke, however. An investigation is expected to be launched into the incident.

Immediately following the incident, Ben Gurion Airport was placed under high alert, which was subsequently cancelled, according to the AP.

An El Al official told Army Radio that the airline was retrieving the passengers' luggage, and that the travelers were being treated to refreshments while they waited to board another plane to their destination.

"This is highly unusual," the official said, adding that no El Al flight had been forced to use the emergency slides in five years.

Jerusalem Post columnist/correspondent Michael Freund, who was on the flight, reported what happened on board during the event.

"We were on the runway for takeoff around 6:45 am. The plane was taxiing and picking up speed, when it suddenly began to slow down before coming to a full, and somewhat abrupt, stop.

"There was an odor of smoke in the cabin, and passengers began looking around somewhat anxiously, wondering what was happening. The pilot got on the intercom and told us to get up from our seats and to exit the plane as calmly and as quickly as possible.

"The inflatable emergency slides were opened, and we each had to slide down out of the plane onto the tarmac."

"Fire trucks and ambulances arrived almost immediately, and all the passengers were told to move away from the plane and to stand on the grass along the side of the runway.

"There was no sense of panic, and people filed off the plane in an orderly fashion - perhaps more orderly than on a typical El Al flight.

"Even though many people were planning to make connecting flights in Zurich in order to continue to other destinations, everyone seemed to accept the situation about as gracefully as one could expect.

"I was just grateful to God that the problem was discovered before we had taken off, and that we were able to get off the plane safely and unscathed. I'm sure that I won't be the only who will be reciting the Hagomel (rescuer's) blessing in shul this week."

FMI: www.elal.com, www.iaa.gov.il/Rashat/en-US/Airports/BenGurion