Delta Flight 1676, an Airbus A320 bound for Atlanta, returned to San Antonio on Feb. 3 after the crew reported smoke and a possible engine fire. The aircraft landed safely at 11:15 a.m., and all 136 passengers and six crew members were unharmed. Airport and airline fire crews inspected the plane and found no indication of fire. The FAA will investigate the reported engine issue.
Delta Flight 1676 Returns to San Antonio After Engine Smoke Warning — No Injuries
Passengers are seated inside of a plane cabinGetty
A Delta Air Lines Airbus A320 operating as Flight 1676 was forced to return to San Antonio International Airport (SAT) on the morning of Feb. 3 after the flight crew reported smoke and a possible engine fire shortly after takeoff. The aircraft landed safely and all passengers disembarked without injury.
According to FlightAware, Flight 1676 departed SAT at approximately 10:52 a.m. local time bound for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Shortly after rotation, the crew reported a potential mechanical issue with the right engine (engine No. 2) and elected to return to the airport as a precaution.
A Delta Air Lines Airbus A320 planeRobert Alexander/Getty
“1676 emergency for runway 22. Engine number 2 is running. We got a fire indication that went away when we pulled it to idle, so it is running,” the pilot can be heard saying in an air traffic control recording made available via the Broadcastify app and cited by KENS.
The San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) said it received a report of smoke coming from one of the engines. Airport fire crews met the aircraft upon its return, and, following standard protocol, requested mutual aid from nearby stations. FlightAware shows the jet turned back and landed at SAT at about 11:15 a.m. local time.
Delta confirmed the return was due to a “potential engine issue after takeoff.” The airline said there were no injuries among the 136 customers and six crew members onboard and that affected passengers were reaccommodated on alternative Delta flights. Delta also noted the flight crew declared an emergency to receive priority handling from air traffic control.
The San Antonio International AirportUniversity of College/Shutterstock
An SAFD inspection found no indication of fire after the aircraft landed. In a text to the San Antonio Express-News, airport spokesperson Tonya Hope emphasized the event “was NOT an emergency landing,” added that all passengers disembarked normally, and said airport operations were not affected.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed it was notified and said it will investigate the reported engine issue. Delta and the FAA will review maintenance and flight data to determine the cause before the aircraft returns to service.
Sources: FlightAware, SAFD, Delta Air Lines, FAA, Broadcastify (air traffic recording), KENS.
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