Boeing airplanes have long been a cornerstone of the aviation industry, trusted to carry millions of passengers each year across the globe.
With a reputation for innovation and reliability, these aircraft are a common sight at airports worldwide.
However, even the most trusted machines can face unexpected challenges, as passengers on a Delta Airlines flight in Atlanta experienced this week.
Engine Caught Fire
On Friday morning, a Delta Airlines Boeing 757 was evacuated on the runway at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after an engine issue forced the crew to abort takeoff.
The plane, scheduled as Flight 2668 to Minneapolis, was carrying 201 passengers and seven crew members when the problem occurred.
Shortly after the aircraft began its takeoff roll, the crew detected an issue with one of the engines. A passenger later described the scene, saying:
“Something went wrong, and the engine caught fire. We had to evacuate the plane immediately.”
Emergency slides were deployed, and passengers exited the aircraft onto a snow-covered runway, an uncommon sight in Atlanta’s usually mild winters.
The airport reported that the incident occurred at 9:10 a.m. local time.
Delta confirmed the flight crew followed established safety procedures, halting the takeoff and initiating an evacuation.
Four passengers sustained minor injuries during the evacuation, with one transported to the hospital and the others treated at the scene.
The situation unfolded against a backdrop of severe winter weather that has disrupted travel across the U.S.
On Friday, over 400 flights were canceled at Atlanta’s airport, representing more than 40% of scheduled departures, according to FlightAware.
Nationwide, the weather grounded more than 2,500 flights.
Delta and airport officials have yet to confirm whether the snowy conditions contributed to the engine trouble. The incident remains under investigation.
