Airliner Makes Emergency Landing at Newark Thursday

A United Express flight was forced to return to Newark Liberty International Airport for an emergency landing Thursday after crew members smelled smoke in the cabin, NBC News reported.

The Pittsburgh-bound turboprop made the landing at 11:15 am, about 45 minutes after its scheduled takeoff. The 27 passengers on board were safely evacuated and there were no injuries reported, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey told NBC News.

The smell originated near the lavatories at the back of the plane, according to an airline spokesman.

The plane was towed back to Terminal C and was being inspected Thursday, NBC news also reported.