A Delta Air Lines flight from Orlando to Austin experienced a mid-air scare when a part of the Boeing 737’s wing broke loose while the plane was still thousands of feet in the air. The incident occurred on Flight 1893, which was preparing to land at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Tuesday. Passengers on board noticed a metal flap hanging off the back of the wing, causing concern and alarm.
Shanila Arif, a passenger who captured the incident on video, described the experience as akin to severe turbulence. “The plane was shaking,” she said. Arif’s fear escalated when another passenger opened the window and pointed out the broken wing flap. She expressed her fear that if the wing flap completely broke off, it could potentially strike the aircraft’s tail and cause a crash.
The wing flap, a crucial component of the aircraft, is designed to extend during takeoff and landing. Its malfunction during flight could have serious implications. Despite the alarming incident, the flight, carrying 62 passengers and six crew members, managed to land safely in Texas.
Delta Air Lines acknowledged the incident, stating that a portion of the left wing’s flap was observed to be out of place. The airline has since taken the aircraft out of service for maintenance. In a statement, Delta Air Lines apologized to its customers for the incident, emphasizing that the safety of its passengers and crew is of utmost importance.
No injuries were reported from the incident. Delta Air Lines has pledged to fully cooperate with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in its investigation into the matter.