Atlanta, GA| A Delta Air Lines flight was forced to return to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Monday morning after the crew reported “possible smoke” inside the aircraft.
The incident occurred just two days after another Delta flight was diverted due to a similar issue.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Delta Flight 876 took off from Atlanta at 8:30 a.m., bound for Columbia Metropolitan Airport in South Carolina.
However, approximately 35 minutes into the flight, the crew detected a haze inside the cabin and decided to return to Atlanta as a precautionary measure. The plane landed safely at 9:04 a.m.
In a statement, Delta Air Lines confirmed that the flight crew “followed procedures to return to Atlanta when a haze inside the aircraft was observed after departure.”
The airline reassured passengers that safety remains its top priority, stating, “Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people, and we apologize to our customers for the experience.”
It remains unclear what caused the haze inside the aircraft. The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident.
This event follows another similar occurrence just two days earlier, raising concerns about potential technical issues affecting Delta’s fleet.
Aviation experts note that smoke or haze in an aircraft can result from various factors, including electrical malfunctions, mechanical issues, or environmental conditions within the cabin.
Passengers on Flight 876 were rebooked on alternative flights to reach their destinations, and no injuries were reported. Delta has not disclosed whether the aircraft involved will be temporarily removed from service for further inspections.
As the investigation continues, Delta passengers and industry analysts will be watching closely to determine if these incidents are isolated events or indicative of broader concerns regarding aircraft maintenance and operational safety.
Below is a user-generated video from inside the cabin of the Delta Airlines where smoke could be seen:
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