Passengers recount midair terror as oxygen masks drop and plane makes emergency landing

'Problem on our plane, we love you guys,' read one message Tessa and Mark Springer sent their children. Flight 5089 to Philadelphia had already been delayed two hours over a reported engine issue before leaving St Louis on Saturday. The pilot told air traffic control 'we have fumes in the cockpit' and asked for fire equipment. The jet landed back at St Louis Lambert after 34 minutes in the air.

Tessa Springer: 'I just thought our kids were going to lose both their parents today.'

Passenger Olivia Clancy rushed to fit oxygen masks on her two children as the plane struggled.

Aviation expert Gary Leff said engine oil in the air supply could explain the odour.