UPDATE: A Delta Air Lines flight was forced to return to Atlanta shortly after takeoff due to engine issues, impacting 191 passengers onboard. The incident occurred on Sunday, December 28, as the Boeing 757-200, the last ever built, encountered problems shortly after departing Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) at 4:42 PM.
Passengers were left in a state of concern as the flight, scheduled to reach Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) in a typical 45-minute journey, barely left Atlanta airspace. Instead, it circled south of the city to burn off fuel before safely landing back at ATL by 5:15 PM.
According to reports from Atlanta News First, the flight, designated DL2627, took off in a westerly direction but quickly faced engine issues, prompting pilots to make a precautionary decision to return to base. The aircraft, registered as N823DX, reached an altitude of approximately 11,000 feet before circling between 7,000 and 10,000 feet while awaiting clearance to land.
Upon landing, the aircraft was met by Delta maintenance crews for inspection, ensuring the safety of all passengers. Following the incident, affected travelers were rebooked onto an alternative flight, which departed ATL at 9:44 PM and arrived in Jacksonville at 10:27 PM local time.
This unexpected return caused significant delays, with the replacement flight, also numbered DL2627, departing JAX at 11:32 PM and reaching Atlanta at 12:14 AM the following morning instead of its original schedule of 8:12 PM.
Delta Air Lines, a major airline operating in the region, confirmed that the affected aircraft, N823DX, was the last Boeing 757-200 ever manufactured, having first flown in November 2004. This aircraft had previously served Shanghai Airlines before joining Delta’s fleet in February 2016.
Despite the engine scare, the aircraft was declared fit for service the next day and resumed operations as DL8916 from Atlanta to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) without further disruptions.
Passengers and aviation enthusiasts alike are urged to follow ongoing updates regarding Delta’s operational changes and safety measures. The airline has yet to provide an official statement regarding the incident, but safety remains a top priority as they manage the aftermath of this urgent situation.
For those affected, Delta is working to address the inconveniences caused by the delays and ensure smooth travel for future flights. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
