A Delta Air Lines plane with 200 passengers on board caught fire on Monday at Orlando International Airport (OIA), with no injuries reported so far, according to local media and airport authorities.
According to the news site Click Orlando, the incident occurred on flight 1213, which was scheduled to depart for Atlanta at 11:00 a.m. The fire started in the nozzle of one of the two engines of the aircraft, an Airbus A330, as confirmed by the airline itself.
Images of the incident shared on social media show flames and smoke coming from the right engine of the aircraft. Some videos also show passengers evacuating via the emergency slides while staying close to the plane on the runway.
Delta reported that in addition to the passengers, there were 10 cabin crew members and 2 pilots on board. The airline thanked customers for their cooperation and apologized for the incident, reiterating that safety is their top priority.
"Our teams are working to transport customers to their final destinations as quickly as possible," the company added.
The passengers were transferred back to the terminal building, where they were provided with food and drinks while awaiting the replacement of the aircraft. Maintenance teams will examine the affected airplane to assess the extent of the damage.
The OIA confirmed that the fire was quickly contained and that some passengers had to be evacuated using the emergency slides.
In its official account on X, the airport terminal emphasized that the fire occurred around 11:06 a.m., while Delta flight 1213 was on the ramp, prior to takeoff. All passengers were promptly evacuated without incident.
According to the statement, the aircraft rescue and firefighting team acted immediately to control the situation. Airport authorities indicated that any further inquiries should be directed to Delta Air Lines.
Several profiles and users on social media reported the incident shortly after it occurred. A user identified as Dylan shared three videos depicting the moment the plane's engine caught fire, as well as the evacuation of passengers via emergency slides on the runway at Orlando airport.
Recently, multiple aerial incidents have occurred in the United States, raising public concern about safety in civil aviation.
On April 10, six people died, including three minors, when a small plane crashed into the Hudson River, in a tragic accident involving a family of Spanish tourists.
That same day, another unusual event occurred in Washington D.C. when an American Airlines plane with congress members on board was struck by another aircraft while it was stationary on the runway of Ronald Reagan Airport.
The string of incidents continued last Wednesday when a Frontier Airlines flight from Florida experienced a engine malfunction during landing in Puerto Rico.
Although no injuries were reported, passengers experienced moments of panic when they saw flames coming from one of the airplane's engines. Authorities are still investigating the causes of this incident.
This Sunday, four people died in Illinois when a small plane collided with high-tension wires and crashed in a rural area of Coles County.
The aircraft, a Cessna 180, crashed after impact and was engulfed in flames. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA launched an investigation into the incident.
On the same day, another American Airlines flight heading to Miami had to return in an emergency to the origin airport after a technical issue was detected on board. The crew's swift response prevented a worse outcome, and the passengers were rebooked on other flights.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Delta Plane Fire in Orlando
What happened with the Delta plane at Orlando International Airport?
A Delta Air Lines flight with 200 passengers on board caught fire at Orlando International Airport. The fire started in the nozzle of the right engine of the aircraft, an Airbus A330, during the pre-takeoff start. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and all passengers were evacuated safely.
How was the evacuation of Delta flight 1213 handled?
The evacuation of Delta flight 1213 was carried out using emergency slides. Passengers were quickly transported to the terminal building, where they were provided with food and drinks while awaiting the replacement aircraft. The fire was swiftly contained by the airport emergency teams.
What measures did Delta Air Lines take following the incident in Orlando?
Delta Air Lines reiterated that safety is its top priority and thanked customers for their cooperation. The airline committed to transporting passengers to their final destinations as soon as possible and assured that maintenance teams will examine the affected aircraft to assess the extent of the damages.
Were there reports of similar incidents recently with other airlines?
Recently, several similar incidents have been reported in other airlines, including an American Airlines flight in Denver and a United Airlines flight in Houston that also experienced engine problems and required emergency evacuations. These events have raised concerns about air safety in the United States.
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