An unexpected incident shook passengers and crew aboard Delta Airlines Flight 520 this Friday morning as an emergency exit slide detached from the aircraft shortly after takeoff from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.
The flight, bound for Los Angeles, took off as scheduled earlier in the morning but swiftly returned to JFK after the crew reported sensing a vibration onboard, as confirmed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The crew's vigilance was pivotal as they detected an indicator light signalling an issue with the right-wing emergency exit, accompanied by unusual sounds emanating from the vicinity, as stated by Delta Airlines.
Responding promptly to the situation, the crew declared an emergency and manoeuvred the aircraft back to JFK, executing a safe landing around 8:35 am The entire interaction between the pilot and air traffic controllers during the emergency return was captured by LiveATC.net, underscoring the coordinated efforts involved in managing such situations.
Upon return, an air traffic controller inquired if assistance was needed, to which the pilot responded negatively, expressing gratitude for the support rendered. The controller then directed the aircraft to its designated path for docking, ensuring a smooth transition back to ground operations.
In a statement following the incident, Delta Airlines emphasized the paramount importance of passenger and crew safety, commending the flight crew for their adherence to protocol and training. The airline extended appreciation to passengers for their patience during the unforeseen delay in travel plans. Moreover, Delta assured full cooperation with ongoing investigations into the incident, pledging support for efforts to retrieve the detached emergency slide.
Following the safe landing, the aircraft was withdrawn from service for evaluation. Fortunately, all 176 passengers and seven crew members onboard were unharmed, and arrangements were made for them to continue their journey on an alternate flight.
This occurrence adds to a string of recent aviation incidents, including a midair door plug detachment on a Boeing jet in January, triggering investigations. Earlier this month, an engine covering fell off a plane during takeoff in Denver, while a recent close call at JFK narrowly avoided a potential collision involving multiple aircraft.
