Fireball explodes on Delta plane at Washington airport, prompting evacuation via emergency slides
Delta Flight 604 from Cancun, Mexico, successfully landed at Washington Airport but faced issues upon connecting to the terminal’s electrical network, resulting in a short circuit and a subsequent fire just below the cabin of the Airbus A321 plane, according to SEA spokesperson Perry Cooper.
The pilots swiftly requested emergency exits to be opened after detecting smoke, prompting a sense of panic among passengers during the evacuation process.
“I think people responded with panic; there was some jostling in the hallways to reach the exit,” recalled Ashwin Menon, a passenger from Seattle. “But overall, the evacuation was smooth.”
Passengers evacuated by walking onto the wing of the plane and descending via inflatable slides, ensuring everyone's safety.
While most passengers used the slides, others exited through the passenger loading bridge. Fortunately, the fire extinguished itself, and evaluations revealed no significant injuries, with no one requiring hospitalization.
Delta praised the swift response of its crew and confirmed the aircraft's removal for inspection and maintenance, emphasizing passenger safety as a priority.
Cooper commended the crew's trained response, highlighting the importance of caution in such situations. An investigation is ongoing to pinpoint the cause of the fire, with the faulty power cord repaired and back in operation.
