Passengers on a Delta flight had to evacuate after an engine caught fire while the plane was on the tarmac at Orlando International Airport in Florida. The incident occurred as Delta flight 1213 was preparing to depart for Atlanta with nearly 300 people onboard.
Videos shared on social media showed flames and smoke coming from the right engine of the Airbus A330. In response, passengers exited the aircraft using inflatable emergency slides. Thankfully, there were no reports of injuries among those on board.
Orlando International Airport confirmed that the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting team quickly responded to the situation. Delta Airlines stated that 282 passengers, along with 10 flight attendants and two pilots, were safely evacuated from the plane as flames were seen in one of the engines.
Footage taken from the terminal revealed passengers waiting on the tarmac as emergency vehicles gathered near the aircraft. Delta expressed gratitude for the cooperation of its customers and apologized for the distressing experience. The airline emphasized that safety is their top priority and promised to assist passengers in reaching their final destinations as soon as possible.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that it would investigate the incident to determine the cause of the engine fire.
This event adds to a series of notable aviation incidents in North America this year. Earlier in January, a tragic mid-air collision near Washington D.C. resulted in the deaths of 67 people. In February, another Delta flight crashed while landing in Toronto, but all 80 passengers survived that ordeal.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of air travel and preventing similar incidents in the future.