Boeing is facing new safety scrutiny following an engine fire on a Delta Air Lines flight from Edinburgh, which led to an emergency landing shortly after takeoff.
The incident in February 2023 involved a Delta 767 en route to New York when a turbine blade broke off, causing flames to shoot from the engine.
The fire, visible to passengers, subsided while the aircraft was airborne.
However, the plane made an emergency landing at Prestwick Airport near Glasgow after ground crew discovered fuel leaking from the right wing.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), the UK aviation safety authority, has requestedthe Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) take action against Boeing, headquartered in Virginia.
The AAIB’s investigation revealed the broken turbine blade damaged five other blades, causing imbalances that fractured a fuel tube in the wing.Â
No injuries were reported, and all passengers were swiftly disembarked upon landing
This resulted in fuel leakage, ignited by the engine’s hot air exhaust.
A passenger captured footage of the flames before they were extinguished.
The AAIB has recommended Boeing prove its design for the slat track housing drain tube on the 767 model continues to meet certification requirements for large transport aircraft.
The Delta flight, carrying 211 passengers and 10 crew members, experienced a rattling noise during taxiing that was initially thought to originate from the cargo hold.
The noise persisted through takeoff, alarming the cabin crew.
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The flight commander, unable to identify the source of the issue, chose to divert to Prestwick for safety reasons.
Although the flames were seen briefly, they disappeared, and the commander decided to continue with reduced engine power.
No injuries were reported, and all passengers were swiftly disembarked upon landing.
Boeing has been contacted for comment.
This incident adds to a series of safety concerns for Boeing, including recent management changes and legal issues related to the 737 Max crashes and other incidents.
The company has faced sanctions and scrutiny over its safety practices, including a temporary ban on certain Boeing 777 aircraft in the UK in 2021.
