Footage has emerged
of a Delta
Air Lines plane that seems to have caught fire after landing in Seattle,
prompting an emergency evacuation of all passengers onboard the aircraft.
Video captured
during the incident depicts smoke and a bright light emanating from the nose
area of the Airbus A321neo, compelling those aboard to swiftly exit the
aircraft using emergency slides.
“During deplaning
on the evening of May 6, the crew of Flight 604 from Cancun to Seattle
witnessed smoke in the aircraft nose area after plugging into ground electrical
power. Out of an abundance of caution, slides were deployed and passengers
still on board deplaned via the rear of the aircraft,” a Delta spokesperson
said in a statement provided to USA
Today.
“Passengers were
fully evacuated, and those deplaned to the ramp returned to the terminal via
the ramp stairs. All passengers exited to customs in the International Arrivals
Facility for regular processing. The aircraft has been removed from service for
inspection and maintenance.”
Delta told the
outlet that the aircraft seen in the video is less than two years old, so this
is likely not likely a case of worn-out equipment or aircraft components. As is
usually the case when such distressing incidents occur, the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation.
While Delta said
that the cause of the blaze has yet to be confirmed, its own investigation is being
primarily focused on the ground power unit that was attached to the plane,
rather than the aircraft itself.
The video footage
also shows multiple passengers getting off the plane with their belongings in tow,
a practice that contravenes evacuation safety protocols. Carrying bags and luggage
during evacuations can impede rapid egress, potentially delaying people from
exiting the plane and causing unnecessary injury or fatalities.
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