Delta is world’s second-largest airline as of January.
1 of 2 | The Delta Air Lines flight 876 was on its way to Columbia Metropolitan Airport in Columbia, S.C., via Atlanta in the morning hours when “haze inside the aircraft was observed,” says a Delta spokesperson. The FAA said “the crew reported possible smoke in the flightdeck.” Screenshot/UPI
Passengers on board a Delta flight on Monday were forced to evacuate via emergency slides after smoke or haze consumed the plane’s inside, according to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and airline officials.
Delta Air Lines flight 876 was on its way to Columbia Metropolitan Airport in Columbia, S.C., via Atlanta in the morning hours when “haze inside the aircraft was observed,” says a Delta spokesperson. Advertisement
The FAA said “the crew reported possible smoke in the flightdeck.”
The Boeing 717 carrying 94 passengers, two pilots and three attendants reverted back to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where it safely landed, officials added.
A video showed the plane’s interior consumed by the hazy smoke with passengers covering their faces before exiting the aircraft through its emergency slide inflatables in the back and sides.
According to airport officials, Atlanta Fire Rescue aided passengers in deplaning. “There is a moderate impact to operations at this time,” they added.
As of last month, Delta maintains a fleet of 986 aircraft, making it the second-largest airline fleet worldwide after United Airlines. Advertisement
It arrived a week after a Delta Air Lines jet overturned in snowy conditions and landed upside down and burned on the tarmac at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport in Canada with no fatalities.
“Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people, and we apologize to our customers for the experience,” Delta spokesperson said Monday.
Meanwhile, the FAA has the incident under investigation.
