A Delta Air Lines Boeing 757 bound for Orlando returned to Atlanta early Saturday after the crew reported fumes in the cockpit. The jet departed Hartsfield-Jackson at 7:23 a.m. and landed back at 7:59 a.m., according to FlightAware. All 199 passengers and six crew members evacuated via emergency slides on a taxiway and were bused to the terminal; passengers are being rebooked. Delta said the crew followed procedures and maintenance teams are investigating the source of the fumes.
Cockpit Fumes Force Delta 757 To Return To Atlanta; 199 Evacuate Via Emergency Slides
Passengers evacuated after cockpit fumes force Delta flight to turn around
A Delta Air Lines Boeing 757 bound for Orlando returned to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Saturday morning after the crew reported fumes in the cockpit, prompting an emergency evacuation on the taxiway.
FlightAware data show the aircraft departed Atlanta at 7:23 a.m. and was diverted shortly after takeoff, landing back at 7:59 a.m. There were 199 passengers and six crew members aboard.
"Delta 2204, change of plans. We now have smoke in the back, and we need to deplane immediately,"
— air-traffic control audio captured by ATC.com.
An Orlando-bound Delta flight returned to Atlanta early Saturday morning after reports of smoke in the cockpit (Getty Images)
The Boeing 757 used emergency slides on a taxiway for evacuation. Passengers were escorted to buses, taken back to the main terminal and are being rebooked onto a replacement aircraft to continue their trip to Orlando, a Delta spokesperson told The Independent.
Delta Statement: "The flight crew followed procedures to return to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after reports of fumes in the flight deck. A slide evacuation occurred on a taxiway. Safety is paramount at Delta, and we apologize to our customers for their experience."
Delta maintenance teams are inspecting the grounded aircraft to determine the source of the fumes. Airline officials have not yet confirmed the cause.
What We Know
- Aircraft: Delta Boeing 757 (FlightAware data)
- Departure: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, 7:23 a.m.
- Return/Landing: Atlanta, 7:59 a.m.
- Onboard: 199 passengers, 6 crew
- Evacuation: Slides on taxiway; passengers bused to terminal and rebooked
- Status: Aircraft under inspection; cause of fumes unconfirmed
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