MD-88 airliner reports smoke in cockpit, lands

Published 8:40 pm Saturday, January 2, 2010

BOSTON — A New York-bound Boeing MD-88 airliner has returned safely to Boston’s Logan International Airport after a pilot noticed smoke in the cockpit minutes after takeoff.

Airport spokesman Matthew Brelis said the smoke had dissipated by the time the Delta Airlines plane landed today. He said the plane returned to the gate under its own power.

Brelis said Delta Flight 1379 took off for LaGuardia Airport in New York at about 10:45 a.m. carrying 34 people, including crew.

He said a pilot turned back after noticing the smoke about eight minutes into the flight. A message was left today with Delta seeking comment on what may have caused the smoke.

The Boston area was being hit by a moderate snowstorm as the plane landed this morning.