Mount Cook AT72 at Auckland on Nov 30th 2013, smoke in cockpit

A Mount Cook Airlines Avions de Transport Regional ATR-72-500, registration ZK-MCW performing flight NZ-5071 from Auckland to Palmerston (New Zealand) with 52 passengers, was climbing out of Auckland when the crew reported smoke in the cockpit and returned to Auckland for a safe landing on runway 23L about 15 minutes after departure. The aircraft stopped on the runway, the passengers rapidly disembarked onto the runway.

Passenger wellys219 tweeted: "Small inconvenience at Auckland Airport this morning." Another passenger reported they were told there was smoke but didn't see any in the cabin.

The airline reported that their investigation concluded the "smoke" was most likely steam out of the air conditioning system. The passengers were rebooked onto the next flight.

The aircraft stopped on the runway, passengers disembarked onto the runway (Photo: wellys219):