A Delta Air Lines flight bound for Atlanta turned into a dramatic scene Monday morning after an engine caught fire while the aircraft was still on the tarmac at Orlando International Airport.
Delta Flight 1213, an Airbus A330 with 282 passengers, 10 flight attendants, and two pilots, was in the process of pushing back from the gate at approximately 11:15 a.m. when flames were seen erupting from the tailpipe of one of the plane’s two main engines.
Passengers Evacuated, No Injuries Reported
In a swift emergency response, emergency slides were deployed and all passengers were safely evacuated from the aircraft. Remarkably, no injuries were reported, according to both Delta Air Lines and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
“The fire was contained and is out,” a spokesperson for Orlando International Airport confirmed. Emergency crews were immediately on the scene and ensured all passengers were safely evacuated.
Footage from the scene shows travelers sliding down the inflatable emergency chutes and rushing away from the aircraft as smoke lingered near the engine.
A Pattern of Trouble?
This incident is the latest in a series of recent Delta safety scares. Just two months ago, a Delta aircraft crash-landed on a snow-covered runway at Toronto Pearson Airport, flipping upside down and injuring 15 people.
The Orlando engine fire raises renewed concerns about Delta’s fleet maintenance and emergency readiness, especially given the increasing frequency of high-profile airline malfunctions across the industry.
FAA Investigation Underway
The FAA has confirmed that it will be investigating the cause of the fire, focusing on what led to the ignition in the engine’s tailpipe as the aircraft was preparing for takeoff.
Delta Air Lines issued a statement thanking the crew and emergency responders:
“We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience and appreciate their quick action and calmness during today’s evacuation. Safety is always our top priority.”
As of Monday afternoon, affected passengers were being rebooked on alternate flights, and the damaged aircraft was taken out of service for inspection.
For now, passengers and officials alike are grateful that a potential catastrophe was averted — but the airline may face increased scrutiny moving forward.