The Dash-8 aircraft, en route from Roma in central Queensland, touched down at 7.23pm, less than five minutes after the pilot contacted Air Traffic Control to request the emergency landing.

Emergency crews were on standby on the ground but none of the 35 passengers on board were injured or suffered smoke inhalation.

Despite initial reports the plane had caught fire, a Qantas spokeswoman this morning confirmed white smoke came from the rear of the cabin.

A Brisbane Airport Corporation spokeswoman said a possible worse outcome was avoided due to the smooth landing.

"The pilot contacted the (Air Traffic Control) tower at 7.10pm after white smoke filled the cabin ... and passengers had all disembarked by 7.25pm," the spokeswoman said.

Engineers will today investigate the cause of the smoke.

brisbanetimes.com.au