American Airlines passengers are rushed to hospital after disgusting odor forces plane to suddenly divert

An American Airlines flight was suddenly diverted after passengers smelled fumes onboard, leaving five people hospitalized.

Sunday’s Flight 2118 bound for Phoenix was only an hour into its flight when it was dramatically diverted to Houston after a foul odor consumed the aircraft.

Arbus A321 departed Orlando International Airport at around 6pm headed for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, according to a release from the Federal Aviation Administration.

The flight was diverted to Houston and landed at George Bush International Airport just after 7pm after the cabin crew said they smelled the mysterious odor in the cockpit and across the flight deck.

According to the FAA, the disgusting smell was identified as fumes by the crew.

‘The Arbus A321 departed Orlando International Airport and was headed to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport,’ the FAA added.

A pilot onboard was heard on communications requesting medical assistance ‘out of an abundance of caution,’ American Airlines said in a statement to CBS News.

First responders were ready and waiting at the gate, from which they transported four crew members and one passenger to the hospital as the flight landed in Houston, the outlet reported.

An American Airlines flight bound for Phoenix was diverted to Houston following crew reports of a foul odor onboard the aircraft Sunday

The fumes smelled onboard filled the flight deck and the cockpit

Four crew members and one passenger were rushed to the hospital ‘out of an abundance of caution,’ seen above George Bush International Airport, Houston

Their current condition remains unclear.

‘We thank our team members for their professionalism and apologize to our customers for their experience,’ the airline added in a statement to the outlet.

Flight 2118 then redeparted on a replacement aircraft shortly after, according to the airline.

An investigation into the incident has been launched by the FAA.