An incident involving an emergency slide detaching from a Delta Air Lines aircraft shortly after takeoff led to the plane's safe return to New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport. The Boeing plane, bound for Los Angeles, was identified as Flight 520 and successfully landed back at JFK airport around 8:35 a.m. on Friday.
The crew of the Boeing 767-300ER aircraft noticed a concerning vibration near the right wing and subsequently observed a flight deck indication that the emergency slide had fallen off. With 176 customers, two pilots, and five flight attendants on board, the crew promptly alerted air traffic control and made the decision to return to JFK for safety reasons.
Following the safe landing, passengers were accommodated on another aircraft to continue their journey to LAX. Delta Air Lines, headquartered in Atlanta, confirmed that the affected aircraft was taken out of service for further inspection and maintenance.
Local authorities are currently investigating the whereabouts of the detached emergency slide, while both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Delta Air Lines are conducting their own investigations into the incident.
A spokesperson for Delta Air Lines emphasized the airline's commitment to passenger safety, commending the flight crew for their swift response in accordance with established procedures. The spokesperson expressed gratitude for the passengers' understanding and patience during the unexpected delay in their travel plans.
