Every time we take a flight, we don’t think about it going the other way. We always assume that we will reach our destination safely, but sometimes unfortunate events occur, and things can go south. Recently, a Delta Airlines flight faced such a situation but it was fortunately handled quickly. When the flight was ready to take off from Atlanta to Minneapolis, it faced a malfunction in its engine on Friday, January 10. The issue was detected before the flight took off and the situation was handled promptly.
Delta Airlines Flight Evacuated After Engine Malfunction
This frightening incident occurred on a Boeing 757. According to WION, a serious engine malfunction was detected just before the flight was about to take off, requiring the evacuation of over 200 people, including 201 passengers, two pilots, and five crew members on board at the time.
As soon as the engine malfunction was discovered, passengers were quickly asked to leave the aircraft. The evacuation was made possible using inflatable slides. Videos of the incident quickly spread on social media, showing passengers running towards the runway to reach safety. Initially, Delta Airlines reported that there were no injuries. However, airport authorities in Atlanta later reported that at least four individuals sustained minor injuries. According to a report published by WION, the airline also clarified that the reason for the evacuation was not the ongoing snowstorm in the region but the engine malfunction.
FAA Investigates The Incident
After the incident, all passengers and crew were safely brought back to the terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Later, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launched an investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the engine failure. To continue the investigation and ensure the safety of all passengers and crew, the FAA temporarily restricted all Delta departures from Atlanta, as per the WION reports. The ongoing disruptions and the hindrances caused by the weather certainly raise concerns about Delta’s ability to recover and prevent further operational issues.
For now, investigations are underway, and the priority remains to ensure the safety of passengers and prevent such incidents from happening again.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons