A flight from Las Vegas had to return to the gate before takeoff after a strange odour was detected onboard.
The Spirit Airlines service from McCarran International Airport to Minneapolis was grounded and eight people were taken to hospital following the incident.
An airport spokesperson confirmed that 15 people were examined by paramedics, while one passenger, six crew members and one medical responder were transported to hospital.
The smell onboard flight 170 “resembled oil”, a Spirit spokesperson told KSTP.
The Airbus A321 aircraft has since been removed from service for maintenance checks.
The 174 passengers are being rebooked on other flights and were given travel and food vouchers and refunds, according to Spirit.
It follows two recent instances of Spirit flights blighted by odours onboard.
On 5 May, a service from Las Vegas to Tampa, Florida, was diverted to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
“Spirit flight 1128 from Las Vegas to Tampa landed safely in Dallas following reports of an odour onboard,” Stephen Schuler, director of communications for Spirit, told Fox News.
“Out of an abundance of caution, the crew decided to divert to DFW for a full mechanical inspection.
“We are investigating the source of the smell and we have placed guests on another plane bound for Tampa.”
And on 3 May, a Spirit flight to Denver had to return to Los Angeles International Airport as a result of fumes in the cabin and cockpit of the aircraft.
One passenger was hospitalised and the aircraft was removed from service for checks.
The Independent has contacted Spirit Airlines for comment.
