Another incident at Boeing: the emergency slide falls in mid-flight, the plane has to return to the airport

Of the “vibrations and a dull noise” shortly after takeoff. This was reported by the pilots of Delta Air Lines Flight 520 connecting New York to Los Angeles this Friday, April 26, 2024, reports ABC News. The passengers must have been very frightened.

The plane, a Boeing 767, was forced to turn around. He landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York after spending about 33 minutes in the air, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. No passengers were injured.

Delta Airlines 767-332ER makes emergency return to John F. Kennedy International Airport after losing its right-hand side emergency slide. pic.twitter.com/NHPJCQHgcc

— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) https://twitter.com/aviationbrk/status/1783909346935501154?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

In search of the lost slide

Upon inspection, crews determined that an emergency slide on one of the Boeing 767’s exits had separated from the plane, Delta said in a statement, echoed by ABC News.

The teams don’t yet know where the slide landed. “Delta fully supports recovery efforts and will cooperate fully with investigations”the company said in a statement.

Airplane withdrawn from service

Delta’s Boeing 767 was 33 years old. Following this incident, the machine was withdrawn from service.

The passengers were placed on another flight to Los Angeles, according to the FAA. The agency said it was investigating the incident.

Boeing investigation

In January 2024, an Alaska Airlines Boeing had its door torn off in mid-flight. Since then, the manufacturer has had a series of accidents. In April, a Boeing 73768 Max had to abort its takeoff after an autopilot problem while preparing to reach Mexico from Canada.

After a report from a Boeing employee, the American Civil Aviation Regulatory Agency (FAA) announced that it was investigating three models of the American manufacturer: the 737, the 787 Dreamliner and the 777.