Burbank-bound Southwest flight diverted due to strong odor onboard

A Southwest Airlines flight on its way to Bob Hope Airport in Burbank returned to Oakland on Tuesday morning as a precaution after a strong odor was reported in the passenger cabin.

Brad Hawkins, an airline spokesman, told The Times that Flight 508 with 137 passengers and five crew members aboard circled back to Oakland International Airport shortly after taking off about 7 a.m.

Hawkins said the aircraft landed safely and the passengers were transferred to another flight. He added that the plane will be inspected to determine the cause of the odor.

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--Dan Weikel, Los Angeles Times