An early Monday incident at Orlando International Airport prompted a swift emergency response after a Delta Air Lines aircraft experienced an engine fire on the tarmac, prompting an evacuation of passengers via emergency slides.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that Delta Flight 1213, which was scheduled to depart for Atlanta, encountered engine trouble around 11:15 a.m. local time while it was pushing back from the gate. Video footage posted to X showed flames and smoke bursting from one of the aircraft’s engines.
The affected aircraft was an Airbus A330 carrying 282 passengers along with 10 flight attendants and two pilots. Delta officials reported that the evacuation was initiated after flames were observed in the tailpipe of one of the two primary engines.
Airport authorities quickly contained the blaze. "The fire was contained and is out," according to an Orlando International Airport spokesperson, who indicated that fire and rescue teams were on site shortly after the fire ignited.
No injuries have been reported in connection with the incident, and all passengers were safely escorted back to the terminal. Delta indicated it would deploy additional aircraft to get the affected customers on their way to Atlanta.
"We appreciate our customers' cooperation and apologize for the experience," the carrier said in a statement provided to CBS News. "Nothing is more important than safety and Delta teams will work to get our customers to their final destinations as soon as possible."
Delta’s maintenance crews will inspect the aircraft to determine the cause of the fire and the FAA also announced that it will conduct its own investigation.
This latest event adds to a series of safety-related incidents involving Delta Air Lines in recent months. In January, a flight departing from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was forced to abort takeoff—allegedly also due to an engine fire—resulting in the evacuation of 201 passengers. A month later, a Delta plane flipped upside down upon landing in snowy conditions at Toronto Pearson International Airport, leaving 21 people injured. All were later released from medical care.
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