A Delta Airlines flight caught fire on the tarmac at Orlando International Airport on Monday morning, leading to an urgent evacuation. Passengers rushed down the emergency slides after flames were spotted coming from one of the plane’s engines just after takeoff at around 11:15 AM ET.
Footage shared on social media showed smoke and flames at the back of the aircraft. Emergency crews helped get the 282 passengers, 10 flight attendants, and 2 pilots safely off the plane. Fortunately, all passengers were taken to the terminal without any injuries reported.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the fire was quickly contained and extinguished. Delta stated that their flight crew acted swiftly, following evacuation protocols when they noticed the flames in the tailpipe of the engine. A maintenance team will further investigate the cause of the fire.
This incident is part of a worrying trend in aviation safety. According to a report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the U.S. has seen a rise in emergency evacuations, with a significant increase from just a few years ago. Experts suggest more rigorous training and updated safety technologies could help reduce these occurrences.
In January, a separate tragedy occurred when an American Airlines jet collided with a military helicopter during landing in Washington, D.C., resulting in 67 fatalities. This served as a stark reminder of the risks involved in air travel and the importance of swift safety measures.
As air travel continues to grow, passenger safety remains a top priority. With more than 800 million passengers flying in the U.S. every year, the balance between safety and efficiency is crucial. Understanding past incidents can help airlines better prepare for future emergencies and improve passenger confidence in air travel.
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