Around 200 passengers were evacuated from a Delta Airlines flight at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after the plane had to abort its takeoff on Friday morning. The incident occurred at approximately 9:10 a.m. on flight 2668, which was en route to Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Passengers used emergency slides to exit the Boeing 757-300, which experienced an engine issue, leading to smoke being reported by some onboard. After evacuating, they were transported from the tarmac back to the terminal. Delta confirmed that four passengers sustained minor injuries; one was taken to the hospital while the other three received treatment on-site.
In a statement, Delta emphasized the importance of passenger safety: “Nothing is more important than the safety of our people and customers, and we apologize to our customers for their experience. Our focus is to address their immediate needs and get them to their destinations safely.” The Federal Aviation Administration has initiated an investigation into the matter.
This evacuation comes as Atlanta faces hazardous weather, with a winter storm warning in effect for metro Atlanta and most of north Georgia, causing significant travel disruptions with hundreds of flight cancellations and delays reported at the airport. As of 10 a.m., there were over 700 cancellations, primarily affecting Delta, Southwest, and Frontier Airlines. The airport is also under a ground stop until at least 2 p.m. on Friday.
Despite these challenging circumstances, the swift action taken by Delta’s crew ensured that the situation did not escalate further. The airline is working diligently to support affected passengers during this adverse weather event.
In summary, while the evacuation was concerning, the quick response and prioritization of safety highlight the commitment of airline personnel in such emergencies. The community’s resilience during this storm also serves as a reminder of the strength we find in challenging times.