A Delta Air Lines flight from Florida experienced moments of panic last Tuesday when part of a wing partially detached just minutes before landing at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas.
The incident involved flight DL 1893, operated with a Boeing 737, which had taken off from Orlando International Airport bound for Austin.
On board were 62 passengers and six crew members, who experienced a moment of extreme tension upon realizing that a component of the wing was damaged mid-flight.
The moment of the alarm
According to testimonies gathered by international media, the journey had already been complicated by severe turbulence, which caused anxiety among the passengers.
The situation became alarming when a traveler noticed that something was wrong with the left wing.
"A woman in front of me opened the window shade and said that something was broken. When I looked out the window, I saw a piece hanging and I felt very scared," reported Shanila Arif, a passenger on the flight, in an interview for CNN.
Arif recorded the defect with his cell phone: in the images, it can be seen how a flap, the movable part of the wing that regulates lift during takeoffs and landings, was partially detached and hanging dangerously.
"I feared that the piece would completely detach and hit the tail of the plane, causing an accident," the woman added.
Safe landing and apologies from Delta
Despite the visible damage, the crew managed to maintain control of the aircraft, and the flight landed safely in Austin, where ground crews confirmed the misalignment of a section of the flap on the left wing.
Delta Air Lines promptly removed the aircraft from service and announced that it would conduct thorough inspections and repairs. The airline issued a statement in which it apologized to the affected travelers:
"Nothing is more important than the safety of our people and our customers. We apologize for this experience and will fully cooperate with the FAA's investigation," the message states.
FAA opens investigation
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has initiated an investigation to determine the causes of the partial detachment and to review the maintenance history of the aircraft.
The American agency had already intensified inspections of several Boeing models in recent months, following reports of failures in structural components.
Worrisome Backgrounds
This is not an isolated incident. Delta has faced several incidents in 2025 involving aircraft from the Boeing family:
In March, a Boeing 737-800 flying from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles experienced an engine failure shortly after takeoff, which necessitated an emergency landing.
In January, another Boeing 757 lost a wheel from its front landing gear during takeoff in Atlanta, although the crew managed to complete the flight without any injuries.
The manufacturer Boeing also has a history of recent issues.
In May 2024, a Boeing 737-900 from United Airlines experienced a similar failure in a flap, prompting the FAA to mandate new inspections.
In July 2024, the U.S. aviation authority requested a review of more than 2,600 Boeing 737 aircraft due to defects in oxygen valves.
Passengers between fear and distrust
Although the incident in Austin ended without injuries, the experience left the passengers in shock.
The images shared by Shanila Arif on social media quickly went viral, fueling the perception that technical issues with Boeing airplanes are becoming increasingly common.
The episode rekindles the debate over air safety and the pressure faced by both Delta Air Lines and Boeing, at a time when the industry is striving to regain traveler confidence following a series of incidents that, although lacking fatalities, have highlighted vulnerabilities in the aircraft.
Frequently asked questions about the Delta Air Lines flight incident
What happened on Delta Air Lines flight DL 1893?
On Delta Air Lines flight DL 1893, a flap from the left wing of the Boeing 737 partially detached just before landing at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The incident caused panic among the passengers, but the plane managed to land without any injuries.
What measures did Delta Air Lines take following the incident on flight DL 1893?
Delta Air Lines has withdrawn the aircraft from service for thorough inspections and repairs. Additionally, it released a statement apologizing to passengers and assuring its cooperation with the investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Is air security at risk due to recent incidents involving Boeing aircraft?
Recent incidents, such as flight DL 1893, have fueled the perception that technical issues with Boeing aircraft are becoming increasingly common. The FAA has intensified its inspections of various Boeing models to ensure aviation safety.
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