Source: Jamie Burch | www.ktxs.com

An American Airlines passenger jet made an emergency landing at Abilene Regional Airport because of smoke in the cockpit.

American Airlines Flight 4 was headed from Los Angeles (LAX) to New York (JFK). The Airbus A321 touched down at 3:41 p.m. The Abilene Fire Department investigated to make sure there was no fire on the plane. Elise Roberts with the Abilene Fire Department said firefighters used a thermal imaging camera to look for heat in the cockpit. No heat was detected.

Passengers started deboarding onto the tarmac at 4 p.m. They had to walk to the terminal.

“I just dropped my son off at college at Pepperdine in Los Angeles. I was just very grateful he wasn’t on board with me,” said a passenger who did not wish to be identified. “Everyone was obviously very tense because the plane was descending really fast and we were told that there would be fire following us.”

Don Green with Abilene Regional said everyone is safe.

American said their maintenance team is troubleshooting the issue.

Full Statement from American Airlines

American Airlines flight 4 from Los Angeles (LAX) to New York (JFK) diverted to Abilene (ABI) due to an odor in the cockpit. The flight landed safely at 3:41 p.m. local time.

Our maintenance team is troubleshooting the issue.

American Airlines sent a replacement plane from DFW Airport. It is scheduled to land in Abilene at 7 p.m.

It should depart for New York at 8:30 p.m.