A Delta flight bound for New York experienced a terrifying ordeal mid-flight when flames were seen shooting from its wings. The incident occurred due to a combination of engine failure and a subsequent fuel leak, according to an official investigation published Friday.
The flight, which originated in Scotland in February of 2023, was carrying dozens of passengers to John F. Kennedy Airport when the incident occurred.
“The blade damaged a further five blades,” throwing it out of balance and fracturing a tube in the wing, according to the report released Friday by the government’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch.
Passengers reported hearing a loud bang shortly after takeoff, followed by the alarming sight of flames erupting from the wings.
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The quick actions of the flight crew led to a diversion to a nearby airport in Scotland, where the passengers were safely disembarked with no reported injuries.
The official investigation revealed that the engine failure caused a fuel leak, which ignited and caused flames. The flames were extinguished before the aircraft landed, preventing a potentially catastrophic outcome.
In a statement, the AAIB said: “A safety recommendation has been made to the Federal Aviation Administration that requires the Boeing Aircraft Company to demonstrate that following this serious incident, the design of the slat track housing drain tube on the Boeing 767 family of aircraft continues to comply with the certification requirements for large transport aircraft.”
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