Source: Simon Hradecky | www.avherald.com

A Republic Airways Embraer ERJ-170 on behalf of United, registration N647RW performing flight UA-3496 from Chicago O’Hare,IL to Savannah,GA (USA) with 71 people on board, was on final approach to Savannah’s runway 10 when the crew went around due to visibility below minima and entered a hold. While in the hold the crew declared Mayday Mayday reporting smoke on the flight deck, they needed to divert to Jacksonville,FL (USA). While setting course to Jacksonville the crew queried the conditions at Charleston,SC (USA) and decided to divert there. The aircraft landed safely on Charleston’s runway 15 about 45 minutes after the go around.

A replacement ERJ-170 registration N640RW positioned to Charleston, continued the flight and reached Savannah the following day with a delay of about 13 hours.

The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground in Charleston for about 17 hours before returning to service.