Delta Flight Makes Emergency Return to N.Y.C. After Evacuation Slide Falls Off Plane

Charna Flam
·2 min read
1

The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into the incident with the Boeing 767 aircraft

<p>Getty</p> Stock image of Evacuation Training Slide aircraft sliding raft

Getty

Stock image of Evacuation Training Slide aircraft sliding raft

A Delta Air Lines flight was forced to make an emergency return landing back to New York City from Los Angeles after the evacuation slide fell off the aircraft.

The Delta Air Lines Flight 520 was headed to Los Angeles International Airport but returned to its departure destination, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, around 8:35 a.m. on Friday, April 26, after the “crew reported a vibration,” per a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration.

The FAA confirmed it has launched an investigation into the incident involving the Boeing 767 aircraft.

<p>Getty</p> Los Angeles Airport sign full highway with airplane flying

Getty

Los Angeles Airport sign full highway with airplane flying

Related: Engine Cover Dramatically Rips Off Southwest Airlines Plane During Takeoff in Denver

A spokesperson for Delta Air Lines told PEOPLE in a statement: “As nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people, Delta flight crews enacted their extensive training and followed procedures to return to JFK.”

“We appreciate their professionalism and our customers’ patience for the delay in their travels,” concluded the statement.

<p>Eduardo Munoz / VIEWpress via Getty</p> Delta Airlines airplane sits on the tarmac inside the John F. Kennedy International Airport

Eduardo Munoz / VIEWpress via Getty

Delta Airlines airplane sits on the tarmac inside the John F. Kennedy International Airport

Related: United Airlines Experiences Fifth Incident in One Week After Plane Turns Around Due to 'Maintenance Issue'

After takeoff, the aircraft’s crew detected there was a non-routine sound from near the right wing as well as an indication that something was awry with the right-wing emergency exit slide. As a result, the flight crew contacted air traffic control with this emergency in an effort to gain priority in returning to JFK.

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Upon return, the Boeing 767-300ER aircraft safely landed with all 183 passengers — 176 customers, five flight attendants and two pilots.

Once the aircraft returned to JFK, it was documented that the emergency slide was missing from the aircraft. As a result of this incident, Delta has suspended the aircraft’s service and will be evaluated by the airline.

After the redirected customers landed, they were placed on a new aircraft and to travel to LAX.

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Read the original article on People.