A total of 294 people were forced to evacuate a Delta Airlines plane and run to safety at a busy airport when a fire erupted in the Airbus’ engine, moments before takeoff.
Delta Airlines flight 1213 was scheduled to depart Orlando International Airport on Monday, headed for Atlanta, Georgia.
However, while the flight with 282 passengers, 10 flight attendants and two pilots was prepared for take off, a blaze engulfed one of the plane’s engines.
Shocked onlookers watched from the airport terminal as smoke billowed from the Airbus, while an urgent evacuation was initiated.
Fire crews raced to the aircraft as emergency slides were inflated and nearly 300 people exited the craft and ran to a safe distance on the tarmac.
Shocking vision of the Airbus on fire quickly circulated on social media.
In a statement, Delta Airlines said: “We appreciate our customers’ cooperation and apologise for the experience.”
“Nothing is more important than safety and Delta teams will work to get our customers to their final destinations as soon as possible/”
Incredibly, no injuries were recorded.
The fire is now the latest aviation incident, following a sting of disasters and close calls, that the FAA are now investigating.
https://thewest.com.au/news/world/delta-airlines-airbus-a330-fire-flight-1213-evacuated-at-orlando-international-airport-after-engine-blaze-c-18446905
