O's team plane makes emergency landing

Staff and wire reports

The Orioles were on their way to Tampa for the final series of the season
Their flight was diverted to Jacksonville because of smoke in the forward galley
While waiting at the Jacksonville airport, the Orioles clinched a playoff spot.

The team plane for the Baltimore Orioles had its flight to the Tampa area diverted to Jacksonville because of smoke in the forward galley.

The Orioles made an emergency landing on their way to Tampa.

A spokesman for the Jacksonville Aviation Authority says the flight Sunday night was headed to St. Petersburg. Spokesman Michael Stewart told the Associated Press the plane instead landed at Jacksonville International Airport.

Stewart says the plane was a Delta charter. He says the aircraft was inspected, deemed OK to fly and left Jacksonville at 10:15 p.m. with the team aboard.

According to MASNsports.com, Ned Rice, a member of the team's baseball operations department, confirmed the emergency landing with a post on his Facebook page.

After the team touched down in St. Petersburg, manager Buck Showalter said during a telephone conference call, "We were in good hands. It was just a precautionary thing just to be on the safe side."

He added, "We had a little something heat up on the plane, and the professionals didn't like what was going on. So just to check it out and be on the safe side, we stopped in Jacksonville. We fixed whatever the problem was, got back on the plane and took off.

"It gave everyone a chance to watch some of the Eagles (football) game, so it worked out good."

"Small fire on our team flight to Tampa Bay," he wrote. "They came on and told us we needed to make an emergency landing, and then we were nearly free falling for a few minutes as they raced to get us on the ground as fast as possible. Currently enjoying the beautiful Jacksonville, FL airport while the fire department inspects our plane. Hope this trip is worth it!"

The Orioles beat Boston 6-3 in Baltimore on Sunday afternoon. The Orioles later clinched a playoff spot when the Los Angeles Angels lost at Texas in the second game of a doubleheader.

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