Plane to NJ returns to NY after pilots see smoke

February 21, 2011 at 4:42p.m.

COLONIE, N.Y. (AP) — A Continental Connection flight headed for Newark, N.J., has returned to New York’s Albany International Airport shortly after takeoff because the pilots reported smoke in the cockpit.

Airport spokesman Doug Myers says maintenance crews believe the smoke was de-icing fluid vapor and the condition cleared quickly after the pilots turned off the windshield heater.

The twin-engine turboprop carrying 78 passengers had been de-iced before taking off at about 8:30 a.m. today.

The pilots reported the situation under control before they landed. Mechanics were checking out the plane. The flight is operated for Continental by Colgan Air.