Passengers on a Delta Air Lines flight were left horrified when part of the plane’s wing appeared to break off mid-air – dangling loose as the aircraft made its descent.
The mid-flight scare has now prompted a federal investigation, raising fresh concerns about the safety of America’s aging fleet and Boeing 737’s ongoing troubles after a string of high-profile mechanical failures.
From their windows, travelers going to Austin, Texas, could see a jagged flap hanging by its hinges at the back of the wing, with a bright red piece of metal visibly twisting in the slipstream as the plane soared over fields and suburbs below.
Video shows the section flapping violently, as if it might snap off entirely.
Passenger Shanila Arif, who filmed the incident, said she first thought the shaking was turbulence – until another traveler pointed out the damage.
‘We felt it was bad turbulence. The plane was shaking,’ she told CNN. ‘The lady in front of us opened the window and told us it is broken. I opened the window and got scared.’
Arif admitted she feared the broken section might shear off and strike the tail, sparking disaster.
Flight 1893, traveling from Orlando International to Austin-Bergstrom International on Tuesday, August 19, landed safely at 2.24pm CT with 62 passengers and six crew members on board.
The jet arrived at the gate ten minutes later at 2.34pm.
Delta confirmed the damage, saying in a statement to Daily Mail: ‘After DL 1893 landed safely and without incident in Austin, it was observed that a portion of the left wing’s flap was not in place.
‘The aircraft has been taken out of service for maintenance.
‘We apologize to our customers for their experience as nothing is more important than the safety of our people and customers.’
According to the airline, the aircraft was a Boeing 737 operating its regularly scheduled service between Orlando and Austin when the flap section separated from the wing prior to landing.
Flaps are crucial panels on the back of a wing that extend during takeoff and landing to give the aircraft extra lift.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed it is investigating the incident.
Delta said it will fully cooperate with regulators as inspectors determine what caused the part to come loose mid-flight.
