Strong odor forces plane to return to Newark

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Authorities say a United Airlines plane bound for Texas has been forced to return to New Jersey because of concerns about a strong odor.  The Federal Aviation Administration says United Flight 1704 left Newark Liberty International Airport for Austin at 6 a.m. Monday.

But it returned to the airport 20 minutes later after the crew on the Boeing 739 reported a strong odor in the cabin.  The plane landed safely. An investigation is underway on what might have caused the smell, which was described only as strong.