Talcum powder causes N.C. plane emergency

MORRISVILLE, N.C. - Officials say the pilot of an American Airlines flight declared an emergency after someone found an "unidentifiable substance" that turned out to be talcum powder.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport spokesman Andrew Sawyer said late Wednesday night that emergency responders determined the material was powder.

American spokeswoman Andrea Huguely says Flight 1972 was already headed to Raleigh-Durham airport from Chicago Wednesday afternoon. Huguely says the MD-80 was on its approach when the emergency was declared and the plane landed safely at 9:26 p.m.

Huguely says the 131 passengers and crew of six were fine. The aircraft was kept away from the gate until a hazmat crew could examine the substance.