ORLANDO, FL – In a dramatic turn of events on the tarmac, passengers aboard a Delta Airlines flight experienced an unexpected emergency when a jet engine caught fire just before takeoff. The incident, which occurred at Orlando International Airport, forced the evacuation of nearly 300 passengers via emergency slides, leaving many shaken but unharmed.
Reports from passengers revealed that the first indication of trouble came when a distinct smell of smoke filled the cabin. Initially unaware of the gravity of the situation, it wasn’t until they glanced out the windows that the alarming sight of flames emanating from the engine became apparent.
A newly surfaced video from inside the plane captures the tense moments as flight attendants urged passengers to remain calm and seated during the emergency. Children were visibly distressed, and parents scrambled to ensure their safety as they evacuated the aircraft.
The flight, which was bound for Atlanta, had just begun taxiing away from the gate when the engine fire was detected. Delta Airlines confirmed that flames were observed in the tailpipe of one of the plane’s two engines. The flight crew acted swiftly, initiating evacuation procedures and ensuring that all passengers were safely off the aircraft.
Eyewitness accounts from passengers highlight a mix of shock and uncertainty. “I just waited for instructions,” one passenger recounted, describing the surreal experience of watching the fire from his seat.
This incident follows a similar event involving a Southwest Airlines flight that was compelled to make an emergency landing in Houston due to an engine fire shortly after takeoff. Aviation experts note that commercial aircraft are equipped to handle such emergencies, with pilots receiving both visual and oral alerts in the cockpit. A critical safety measure allows pilots to shut off the fuel supply to the engine and deploy fire extinguishers to contain the blaze.
As for the Delta flight, investigators are diligently working to determine the cause of the fire. Delta Airlines has assured that maintenance teams will thoroughly inspect the aircraft to prevent future incidents. Despite the frightening ordeal, there were no reported injuries among the passengers or crew.