Passenger Records Terrifying Footage of the Moment When a Delta Engine Malfunctions
Jeff Edwards July 10, 2019
Passengers on a Baltimore-bound Delta Air Lines flight reportedly recorded footage of a hair-raising engine failure that forced the aircraft to make an unscheduled stop in Raleigh-Durham. Airline officials described the mechanical issue as minor, but a now-viral video of what is purportedly the plane’s fragmented power plant has drawn anxious reactions from the flying public.
A Delta Air Lines flight from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) was forced to make an unscheduled stop at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) on Monday after suffering an engine failure. Footage of the malfunction, reportedly taken by a passenger on the plane and later posted to social media, shows what appears to be broken engine parts tumbling wildly and a bright red glow emanating from the damaged engine.
After initially describing the maintenance issue as minor, the airline later confirmed that the left Pratt & Whitney JT8D engine on the MD-88 aircraft had failed in flight. Delta officials say the damaged engine has since been replaced and will be inspected to determine the cause of the malfunction.
“The flight crew of Delta flight 1425 from Atlanta to Baltimore elected to divert to Raleigh, N.C. out of an abundance of caution after receiving an indication of a possible issue with one of the aircraft’s engines,” Delta Air Lines told Business Insider in a statement. “The flight landed without incident and customers will be re-accommodated on an alternate aircraft. We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience this diversion may have caused.”
Although footage of the incident is terrifying to watch, it is believed that the passengers and crew members were never in serious danger. Despite indications that the malfunction looked (and sounded) much worse than it actually was, eyewitness accounts described smoke in the cabin and crew members quickly preparing for an emergency landing. Even some members of FlyerTalk (who understand that the dramatic-looking engine trouble was not especially hazardous) admit that the view unfolding from the window seat would have likely caused a less stoic reaction.
“I don’t know about you all brave souls,” user golfr offered. “If I saw that out my window, I’m gonna crap my pants and possibly faint.”
Should the passengers aboard Delta Flight 1425 have calmly trusted that flying is, after all, the safest way to travel or is the sight of a jet engine breaking apart in front of one’s eyes enough to reduce even the most seasoned air traveler to panic? Fearless FlyerTalkers are sharing a worry-free discussion in the forums right now.
[Image: Screenshot]
You’re Reading
I'm not a particularly brave soul, but I would not have freaked out at that sight. I would have been alarmed, but not panicked. I know these planes are designed to operate with only one engine. My concern would have been an explosion that damages the left wing.
"Should the passengers aboard Delta Flight 1425 have calmly trusted that flying is, after all, the safest way to travel o" I guarantee that safety margins drop significantly once you see one of the engines glow from friction heat.