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Plane nightmare

Manchester City plane carrying staff evacuated on tarmac in Manchester after smoke fills cabin

Four fire engines and emergency services rushed to scene as crew ordered passengers to 'Go, go, go!'

MIKE SUMMERBEE was among 49 people forced to make an emergency evacuation of an aircraft awaiting departure for Bucharest.

The Manchester City legend was accompanying administrative and commercial staff from the club along with members of the media.

 An emergency services worker boards the evacuated Man City plane
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An emergency services worker boards the evacuated Man City planeCredit: Array

They were en route to Romania for tomorrow night’s Champions League play-off clash with Steaua Bucharest.

The cabin of the Fokker 100 filled with smoke just as taxiing preparations had begun.

All those on board the Carpatair charter were told to leave their hand luggage and get off immediately.

 The Manchester City plane is surrounded by fire engines
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The Manchester City plane is surrounded by fire enginesCredit: Mark Robinson
 Man City support staff and media were evacuated off the plane
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Man City support staff and media were evacuated off the planeCredit: Mark Robinson

Four fire engines attended the incident which took place just before 11am on Monday.

But technicians discovered after the cabin had filled with smoke that the problem was due to an air-conditioning fault and passengers were then returned to the aircraft.

No players were on the plane.

A Carpatair spokesperson said: "The problem was down to water vapour because of a fault in an air conditioning unit on the aircraft although it appeared to be smoke.

"Normal emergency procedures were applied. The aircraft was safe and fit to make the journey to Bucharest after a 45-minute delay."

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