Queensland, Australia: Flight diverts to Mount Isa after smoke fears

A Boeing 747 with 170 passengers aboard has been grounded on its way to Darwin after pilots reported a smell of smoke in the cockpit and diverted to Mt Isa.

The plane landed at the Mt Isa airport to meet two fire trucks just after 8pm, according to Queensland Fire and Rescue Service officers.

"We investigated the aircraft, and we found no readings of smoke," an officer said.

Passengers also had to be helped down from the plane by a wheelchair lift, in lieu of the right-sized staircase for the 747, which doesn't normally land at Mt Isa airport, according to QFRS.