A Delta plane caught fire at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport causing a total evacuation of passengers. The incident occurred when the aircraft, Delta Flight 604 from Cancun, Mexico, landed safely at the airport but experienced a fire shortly after being plugged into the terminal’s electrical network. Passengers were evacuated using emergency exit slides after sparks flew and a fire erupted below the cockpit of the Airbus A321 aircraft. The evacuation process was described as smooth, with some passengers exiting via inflatable chutes while others used the passenger loading bridge.
One passenger, a Seattle software engineer named Ashwin Menon, described the evacuation as causing panic among passengers, with some jostling to get to the exits. Despite the initial chaos, the evacuation was successful with about two-thirds of the 189 passengers exiting via the slides. Seattle fire officials responded to the scene, where they evaluated a few individuals for injuries related to the evacuation slides, but no one required further medical care. The passengers were able to safely disembark and were brought into the terminal for processing and customs.
The airline, Delta, released a statement acknowledging the incident and the evacuation of all passengers from the aircraft. The plane has been taken out of service for inspection and maintenance following the fire. The electrical cord which shorted out and caused the fire has been repaired and is now functioning normally. The airline praised the crew for their quick response and precautionary measures taken during the evacuation, emphasizing that safety is their top priority. An investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire, with the Federal Aviation Administration yet to provide further details on the incident.
Overall, the evacuation of the Delta plane in Seattle was successful, with all passengers safely evacuated from the aircraft following a fire near the cockpit. The incident caused panic among passengers initially, but the evacuation process was described as smooth and efficient. The quick response of the crew and emergency services helped ensure the safety of all passengers involved. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, with the airplane being removed from service for inspection and maintenance. Delta has since repaired the electrical cord that sparked the fire and is operating as usual, with a focus on passenger safety and well-being.
