A passenger on an Easyjet flight that was forced to return to the island after crew detected smoke in the cabin has told iomtoday about his experience.

Clive Williams, from Onchan, was on the Bristol-bound flight that took off from Ronaldsway at around 6pm on March 31.

’I was sitting at the back of the aircraft and as soon as we took off, even before the undercarriage went up, I thought I could smell smoke,’ he said.

’I’m not a good flier at the best of times and I was waiting for the seatbelt sign to go off. Then after a few minutes there was an announcement that said, ’’cabin crew remain at your stations’’.’

He said the delay made him even more suspicious, then after a few moments there was a further announcement from the aeroplane’s pilot.

’He was quite matter-of-fact, saying, ’’well that didn’t go to plan’’.

’He told passengers he and the first officer had seen ’’misting in the cabin’’ and there seemed to be a smell of smoke,’ he said.

Mr Williams said the pilot then continued: ’We both agreed that if there’s any doubt then there’s no doubt, so we will be returning.’

He said the landing was normal and without incident and he was full of praise both for the aeroplane pilot and crew and the airport staff.

’They were amazing, and so were Easyjet.’

’After the landing we were checked over for about 15 minutes by the fire brigade then allowed to taxi back and disembark.

’People were laughing and joking about it by then, but for 10 minutes, it was quite a harrowing experience,’ he said.

Passengers were able to complete their journey about midnight after a relief aeroplane was brought in from Luton.

Airport and harbours director Ann Reynolds confirmed an investigation had been launched by the Air Accident Investigation Branch, which described the matter as a ’serious’ incident, but it was likely to be a few months before their findings were released.

The airport stayed open to accommodate the passengers who were flown on to Bristol after a delay of three hours.