Strange Odor Forces Florida-Bound Plane To Divert To Myrtle Beach

MYRTLE BEACH, SC — A plane headed from New York to Fort Lauderdale was diverted to South Carolina Thursday night after an odor developed in the aircraft that reportedly smelled like "dirty socks" or a "strange, burning odor," according to news reports and an airline spokesman.

A handful of passengers on the flight were checked out by medical professionals and have since been cleared to continue their journey, the spokesman said. A supplemental plane was sent to Myrtle Beach to pick up the stranded guests.

The Myrtle Beach Fire Department said via Twitter that about 7 to 10 passengers complained of medical issues. According to the fire department, 220 passengers were evacuated from the flight. The fire department said all passengers who felt ill were taken to local hospitals after an initial decontamination.

The fire department was called to the airport for a potential hazmat incident but around midnight, officials said no hazardous substances were found "after extensive monitoring of the aircraft."

According to NBC New York, some passengers said the smell that forced the flight to divert was like dirty socks. One passenger told Local 10 in Miami that the smell was like a burned wire.

The plane departed LaGuardia Airport for Fort Lauderdale around 8:30 p.m. Thursday before being diverted to Myrtle Beach.

The airline says it is investigating the source of the odor.

"We apologize for the inconvenience this diversion has caused," the airline said in a statement. "At Spirit Airlines the safety of our Guests and Crew is paramount."

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