On Sunday, a Delta flight from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport to Atlanta, Georgia, caught fire on the runway during takeoff and returned to the airport a few minutes later.
In real-time audio recorded on the public safety radio communication platform Broadcastify, airport controllers asked the pilot if there were visible flames during takeoff.
The controller asked the pilot, “Is everything okay? I saw a big flame during takeoff.”
The pilot responded, “Delta Flight 1067 experienced an engine failure on the left side,” and then asked the controller if the flame was related to his aircraft.
The controller responded that the engine malfunction ignited the grass on the left side of the airport.
Shortly after, the controller informed another plane on the runway to move and stated that emergency responders were rushing to the scene because the grass next to the taxiway was on fire.
Flight tracking data from the global flight tracking platform FlightAware showed that the aircraft safely landed in Savannah around 7:12 p.m. on Sunday, less than 30 minutes after takeoff.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that Delta Flight 1067 experienced an engine failure on the left side shortly after taking off from Savannah/Hilton Head Airport around 6:45 p.m.
Delta Airlines stated, “Delta Flight 1067 from Savannah to Atlanta took off Sunday night and shortly after departure, the aircraft’s left engine experienced mechanical issues, prompting the flight to return to the airport.”
The company mentioned, “The aircraft landed safely, the airport emergency team was on standby at the scene, and passengers disembarked at the gate normally.”
There were a total of 179 passengers, two pilots, and four flight attendants on board, with no reported injuries.
Multiple fire departments rushed to the scene.
Garden City Fire Rescue posted on Facebook that they were working with the Savannah Fire Department, Pooler Fire-Rescue, and the 165th Airlift Wing Fire Department to control the fire.
Delta Airlines emphasized, “The safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority. We deeply apologize for the inconvenience caused by the flight delay.”
Delta Airlines mentioned that another aircraft was used later to fly to Atlanta.
The FAA stated that an investigation into the incident would be launched.
On November 29th of last year, a snowstorm across the central and western United States led to the cancellation of thousands of flights, causing multiple traffic accidents during the peak travel period after Thanksgiving. That night, a Delta flight slid off the runway at Des Moines International Airport due to icy conditions, luckily with no injuries reported.
Reference: FOX NEWS.