An apparent fuel leak led forced passengers to evacuate a Philadelphia-bound American Airlines flight Thursday afternoon by the plane's emergency slides, the airline and federal authorities said.
American Airlines flight 1822 was taxing to the runway around 3 p.m. at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida when the pilot noticed the leak, the airline said.
He ordered an emergency evacuation onto the tarmac using the Airbus A320's inflatable slides.
An airline spokesperson said some of the 138 passengers and crew were injured. One flight attendant and 23 passengers were taken to nearby hospitals after complaining of burning eyes, itchy skin and difficulty breathing, an airport spokesperson said.
Uninjured passengers were being bussed back to the terminal.
The cause of the leak was not immediately known.
