Powder found leaking at Tulsa International Airport determined to be ' non-hazardous'

Tuesday, June 7th 2005, 1:18 pm

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Passengers on a Southwest Airlines flight to Phoenix were forced to evacuate the plane at Tulsa International Airport on Tuesday after a powdery substance was found inside the plane's cargo hold, an airport spokeswoman said.

Hazardous materials crews from the Tulsa Fire Department tested the substance and determined it was nontoxic and non-explosive, spokeswoman Mary Smith said.

"It was a really good experience watching the fire department, the airline and the airport work together in this situation," Smith said. "Although the passengers were delayed, they were safe."

The plane's 128 passengers were allowed to reboard Flight 891 after a delay of an hour and 40 minutes, said Marilee McInnis, a Southwest spokeswoman in Dallas.

McInnis said a baggage handler noticed the substance on the floor of the plane's cargo hold and immediately notified authorities.