Passengers Evacuated After Cockpit Fumes Force Delta Flight To Turn Around

A Delta Air Lines formation bound for Orlando, Florida, was forced to return to Atlanta Saturday greeting aft reports of fumes successful nan cockpit, prompting passengers to evacuate utilizing emergency slides.

The formation departed from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport astatine 7:23 a.m. and was diverted not agelong after, landing backmost successful Atlanta astatine 7:59 a.m., according to flightaware.com data.

“Delta 2204, alteration of plans. We now person smoke successful nan back, and we request to deplane immediately,” according to aerial postulation power audio captured by ATC.com.

There were 199 passengers and six unit members aboard nan Boeing 757 that had to evacuate utilizing slides connected nan taxiway, a Delta spokesperson told Fox 5 Atlanta.

Passengers were bused backmost to nan main terminal and are being placed connected a replacement craft to proceed their travel to Orlando. Meanwhile, Delta attraction crews are inspecting nan grounded level to find nan origin of nan issue.

“The formation unit followed procedures to return to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport aft reports of fumes successful nan formation deck,” Delta said successful a statement. “A descent removal occurred connected a taxiway. Safety is paramount astatine Delta, and we apologize to our customers for their experience.”

Airline officials person not yet confirmed what caused nan fumes.

The Independent has contacted Delta for comment.