Plane carrying George W. Bush diverted after smell of smoke

Jake Carpenter and Shawn Nottingham, CNN
Updated 4:33 AM EDT, Sun June 16, 2013
First lady Michelle Obama, President Barack Obama, former first lady Barbara Bush, former President George H.W. Bush and former President George W. Bush attend the opening ceremony of the George W. Bush Presidential Center on Thursday, April 25, 2013 in Dallas. Republicans and Democrats alike and world leaders were in attendance during the official dedication of the facility.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center —
First lady Michelle Obama, President Barack Obama, former first lady Barbara Bush, former President George H.W. Bush and former President George W. Bush attend the opening ceremony of the George W. Bush Presidential Center on Thursday, April 25, 2013 in Dallas. Republicans and Democrats alike and world leaders were in attendance during the official dedication of the facility.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Former President George W. Bush holds back tears as he finishes his speech.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center —
Former President George W. Bush holds back tears as he finishes his speech.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
Former president George W. Bush, center, speaks to the crowd at the opening ceremony of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, flanked, left to right, by first lady Michelle Obama, President Barack Obama, former first lady Barbara Bush, former President George H.W. Bush, former first lady Laura Bush, former President Bill Clinton, former first lady Hillary Clinton, former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center —
Former president George W. Bush, center, speaks to the crowd at the opening ceremony of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, flanked, left to right, by first lady Michelle Obama, President Barack Obama, former first lady Barbara Bush, former President George H.W. Bush, former first lady Laura Bush, former President Bill Clinton, former first lady Hillary Clinton, former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
George W. Bush gestures a "W" to the crowd after speaking.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center —
George W. Bush gestures a "W" to the crowd after speaking.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
George W. Bush hugs his wife Laura after speaking.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center —
George W. Bush hugs his wife Laura after speaking.
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
Left to right: Former President Bill Clinton, former first lady Hillary Clinton, former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter listen during the opening ceremony.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center —
Left to right: Former President Bill Clinton, former first lady Hillary Clinton, former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter listen during the opening ceremony.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush laugh during former President Bill Clinton's speech.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center —
Former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush laugh during former President Bill Clinton's speech.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
President Obama speaks with former first lady Barbara Bush during the ceremony.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center —
President Obama speaks with former first lady Barbara Bush during the ceremony.
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, center, attends the ceremony.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center —
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, center, attends the ceremony.
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
President Barack Obama speaks during the opening ceremony.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center —
President Barack Obama speaks during the opening ceremony.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair attends the ceremony.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center —
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair attends the ceremony.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Left to right: former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former Vice President Dick Cheney, Jenna Bush Hager, her husband Henry Hager, Barbara Bush, Miky Febrega, and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush sing the national anthem at the ceremony.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center —
Left to right: former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former Vice President Dick Cheney, Jenna Bush Hager, her husband Henry Hager, Barbara Bush, Miky Febrega, and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush sing the national anthem at the ceremony.
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
President Barack Obama and former presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter arrive on stage for the George W. Bush Presidential Center dedication ceremony.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center —
President Barack Obama and former presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter arrive on stage for the George W. Bush Presidential Center dedication ceremony.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
George W. Bush's daughter Jenna Bush Hager, her husband Henry Hager, sister Barbara Bush, her boyfriend Miky Fabrega, former governor of Florida Jeb Bush, and his wife Columba Bush attend the opening ceremony.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center —
George W. Bush's daughter Jenna Bush Hager, her husband Henry Hager, sister Barbara Bush, her boyfriend Miky Fabrega, former governor of Florida Jeb Bush, and his wife Columba Bush attend the opening ceremony.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Boots commemorate George W. Bush's tenure as general managing partner of the Texas Rangers.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center —
Boots commemorate George W. Bush's tenure as general managing partner of the Texas Rangers.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete presented this lion, here presented at the library, to George W. Bush during his trip to Africa in 2008.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center —
Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete presented this lion, here presented at the library, to George W. Bush during his trip to Africa in 2008.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
A pistol captured with Saddam Hussein on December, 13, 2003, is displayed at the Center.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center —
A pistol captured with Saddam Hussein on December, 13, 2003, is displayed at the Center.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
This display relates to the Bush administration's faith-based and community initiative.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center —
This display relates to the Bush administration's faith-based and community initiative.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
A security guard stands in front of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, part of the George W. Bush Presidential Center on the Southern Methodist University campus in Dallas, on Tuesday, April 16.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center —
A security guard stands in front of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, part of the George W. Bush Presidential Center on the Southern Methodist University campus in Dallas, on Tuesday, April 16.
Ron T. Ennis/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT/Landov
Steel beams from the World Trade Center are displayed in the September 11 portion of the George W. Bush Presidential Center on Wednesday, April 24.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center —
Steel beams from the World Trade Center are displayed in the September 11 portion of the George W. Bush Presidential Center on Wednesday, April 24.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Patricia Flynn shows off the interactive table of conflicts in the Middle East.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center —
Patricia Flynn shows off the interactive table of conflicts in the Middle East.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Former first lady Laura Bush and Alan Lowe, director of the George W. Bush Presidential Library, arrive to speak to media during a tour of the center.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center —
Former first lady Laura Bush and Alan Lowe, director of the George W. Bush Presidential Library, arrive to speak to media during a tour of the center.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
A photographer makes a photo of the two bronze statues of former Presidents George W. Bush and his father, George H.W. Bush, in a courtyard at the Center.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center —
A photographer makes a photo of the two bronze statues of former Presidents George W. Bush and his father, George H.W. Bush, in a courtyard at the Center.
Paul Moseley/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT/Landov
Members of the media shoot video inside a recreated White House Oval Office during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center —
Members of the media shoot video inside a recreated White House Oval Office during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
President George W. Bush's baseball collection is on display in the center.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center —
President George W. Bush's baseball collection is on display in the center.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
The entrance to the museum as seen on April 24, the day before its dedication.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center —
The entrance to the museum as seen on April 24, the day before its dedication.
Ian Halperin/upi/LANDOV
President Bush's and first lady Laura Bush's jackets for Air Force One are on display.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center —
President Bush's and first lady Laura Bush's jackets for Air Force One are on display.
Brianna Keilar/CNN
The center features an exhibit on educational policy.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center —
The center features an exhibit on educational policy.
Ian Halperin/upi/LANDOv
Photos: The George W. Bush Presidential Center

Story highlights

The 43rd president was on a plane from Philadelphia to Dallas

The plane landed in Kentucky after the pilot reported smelling smoke

Bush arrived safely home in Dallas later in the night, his spokesman says

CNN  — 

A plane carrying former President George W. Bush was diverted to Louisville on Saturday night after the pilot reported the smell of smoke.

The Gulfstream IV aircraft was traveling from Philadelphia International to Dallas Love Field airports when the pilot reported the smell of smoke in the cockpit, said Holly Baker, spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration.

She said the plane landed safely in Louisville, Kentucky.

By early Sunday morning, Bush arrived safely home in Dallas, his spokesman Freddy Ford said.

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Poll: You’re starting to remember Bush fondly

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