Passengers evacuated from plane on LaGuardia runway after emergency landing

QUEENS (WABC) -- Passengers were evacuated from a plane at LaGuardia Airport that made an emergency landing earlier Wednesday.

American Eagle flight 3340, an Embraer 135, reported smoke in the bathroom after departing LaGuardia Airport to Knoxville, Tennessee, and returned to make the emergency landing, according to the FAA.

Officials say 44 passengers and three crew members evacuated the plane on the runway where it landed.

Passengers were transported back to the terminal, and the plane was towed to a gate. American Airlines placed the passengers on new flights.

There were delays to other flights due to the emergency landing.

American Eagle says a mechanical problem forced the landing. An airport spokesman says there was a report of smoke in the cabin.