Test Flight Ends with Emergency Landing

A Boeing 787 Dreamliner has made an emergency landing in Texas with smoke in the cabin during a test flight.

The jet landed safely and all 42 people aboard exited through emergency chutes.

The incident is the first of its kind and will place the 787 programme under additional scrutiny and delay it further, according to Reuters.

The Dreamliner, one of six 787 test aircraft, was on final approach to the Laredo Airport on a routine mid-afternoon flight from Yuma, Arizona, when the crew reported smoke, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing.

The cause for the smoke is yet to be ascertained, but could have occurred from a range of factors including wiring, lighting, other electronics or aircraft systems.

Boeing spokeswoman Loretta Gunter said that it was continuing to gather data regarding the event.

The wide-body aircraft is loaded with technical gear designed to monitor performance during flight tests.