A frightening scene unfolded at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Friday morning when a Boeing 757 Delta flight was forced to abort its takeoff due to an engine malfunction.
The dramatic moment left several passengers injured and caused delays in the airport’s operations.
Engine Failure Triggers Emergency Evacuation
The incident occurred at 9:10 AM local time as the aircraft accelerated down the runway for a flight to Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport.
According to reports, passengers on board were suddenly instructed to “duck down” and quickly evacuate after the plane’s takeoff was halted.
Images captured by passengers showed inflatable slides deployed on the snow-covered runway as emergency responders rushed to assist.
Despite the chaos, the quick response of the crew ensured that the situation didn’t escalate further.
Injuries and Emergency Response
Fortunately, the injuries reported were minor.
Four passengers were affected, with three receiving treatment on-site while one was transported to the hospital for further care.
The plane, which had over 200 people aboard, was halted just moments after beginning its takeoff.
Witnesses who shared their experiences on social media described the frightening moments as the jet slowed unexpectedly.
One post on Reddit mentioned how passengers were told to evacuate through the emergency slides, leaving their belongings behind as they exited the aircraft onto the snowy tarmac.
Airport Operations Impacted by Weather and Incident
The delayed flight was one of many affected by severe weather conditions at the airport.
While the runway crisis temporarily stalled operations, Hartsfield-Jackson later assured the public that flights would resume shortly as the situation was being cleared up.
Delta Airlines confirmed the engine issue was the cause of the aborted takeoff and praised the flight crew for following proper emergency procedures.
The airline expressed its commitment to passenger safety throughout the ordeal.
In the aftermath, all operations at Atlanta Airport are being monitored closely as weather and technical issues are being addressed to ensure smooth travel going forward.