Delta Air Lines Flight 55, an Airbus A330-200, encountered a mid-air emergency shortly after departing from Lagos, Nigeria, en route to Atlanta due to a fire in one of the galley ovens. The incident occurred on September 23, prompting the flight crew to declare an emergency and divert the plane to Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana. Fortunately, the fire, caused by food debris on the oven’s heating element, was contained within the oven, allowing the crew to manage the situation without using the onboard fire extinguisher.
The aircraft, carrying 188 passengers along with four pilots and nine flight attendants, safely landed in Accra approximately one and a half hours after takeoff. Maintenance teams inspected the plane and confirmed no damage had been sustained. Delta Air Lines provided overnight accommodations for the passengers, allowing them to continue their journey to Atlanta two days later, on September 25.
A Delta spokesperson emphasized that nothing is more important than the safety of passengers and crew. The swift action taken by the flight crew ensured a safe outcome. Despite the inconvenience, Delta expressed gratitude for its passengers’ patience and apologized for the disruption.
This incident draws parallels to a previous occurrence in July when another Delta flight experienced an engine fire shortly after takeoff from Los Angeles International Airport. Such occurrences underline the importance of rigorous safety protocols and the capability of flight crews to handle emergencies effectively. These quick responses help maintain high safety standards in air travel, ensuring passengers’ well-being remains a priority.