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Delta Airlines Flight Evacuates Following Engine Issues
On Friday morning, a Delta Airlines flight destined for Minneapolis faced a critical situation when it had to abort its takeoff at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, resulting in injuries to at least four individuals.
Approximately 200 passengers were compelled to evacuate the Boeing 757-300 through emergency slides, with some fleeing the aircraft into the snowy conditions outside, as reported by a Delta spokesperson and footage shared by CBS affiliate WANF. Morgan Durrant, representing Delta, confirmed that the flight encountered engine complications shortly after its departure.
The incident occurred amidst a severe snowstorm disrupting operations at Atlanta, a hub known for its extensive air traffic. Although it remains unclear whether the inclement weather contributed to the engine failure, the airport was facing significant operational challenges at the time.
A total of 201 individuals were on board the flight, comprising two pilots, five flight attendants, and passengers. Following the emergency evacuation, those onboard were transported back to the terminal complex via bus. While one passenger was hospitalized for injuries, three others received treatment for minor conditions at the airport.
In a statement, Durrant emphasized the adherence of the flight crew to established safety protocols during the incident. “Nothing is more important than the safety of our people and customers, and we apologize for the experience our customers faced,” he noted, assuring efforts to assist passengers in reaching their final destinations as quickly and safely as possible.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced that it will conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Concurrently, all five runways at the airport were temporarily closed, leading Delta to cancel nearly 500 flights by noon Friday. The airline attributed the extensive cancellations to an unexpected intensity of snowfall that impacted deicing capabilities and slowed overall operations.
Delta informed its customers that they could rebook their flights without incurring additional charges, warning that further cancellations and rescheduling might occur as the situation evolved.
Source
www.cbsnews.com