Hundreds Evacuated After Delta Air Lines Airbus A330 Engine Fire at Orlando International Airport | US News
A large number of passengers were evacuated from a plane after one of its engines ignited during takeoff preparations, according to airport officials.
The Delta Air Lines aircraft, which had nearly 300 individuals on board, was in the process of pushing back from the gate at Orlando International Airport in Florida when smoke began to emanate from the engine located on its right wing on Monday.
The airline reported that there were no immediate injuries.
Images and videos shared on social media depicted flames and smoke billowing from the Airbus A330, alongside passengers deploying down an evacuation slide to exit the plane.
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Passengers evacuate the Delta Air Lines aircraft. Pic: @dylangwall/Reuters
The aircraft was en route to Atlanta, covering a distance of over 400 miles with an estimated flight duration of roughly one hour and 40 minutes.
The Federal Aviation Administration announced an investigation into the incident.
Flight 1213 was carrying 282 passengers and 12 crew members, as confirmed by Delta.
The airline stated that its crews “adhered to procedures to evacuate the passenger cabin after observing flames in the tailpipe of one of the aircraft’s two engines”.
A social media user shared a video showing what appeared to be a significant fire and flames emanating from the Airbus plane, along with another clip showing passengers exiting the plane using a slide.
Orlando International Airport reported on X that the fire occurred in the ramp area and that the airport’s aircraft rescue and firefighting team responded promptly. Airbus has yet to comment on the incident.
Delta indicated that maintenance teams would inspect the aircraft, and additional aircraft would be dispatched to assist passengers in reaching their final destinations on Monday.
This incident marks the latest in a series of notable aviation occurrences that have raised concerns regarding flight safety in the US.
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Just last month, an engine fire occurred on an American Airlines jet while the plane was diverting to Denver, resulting in the evacuation of passengers onto the aircraft’s wing.
In January, 67 individuals lost their lives following a mid-air collision between an American Airlines regional jet and an Army helicopter near Reagan Washington National Airport.
