Passengers bound for Los Angeles were given another flight from Utah.
A Delta flight from New York to Los Angeles made an emergency in Utah due to technical issues, according to a report in New York Post. Additionally, an air slide unexpectedly deployed inside the plane after it landed and injured a crew member. The crew was later rushed to the hospital.
The plane was flying with 168 people on board when the captain indicated that they had to land in Salt Lake City due to technical problems. According to the captain, the temperature instrument in the backup system, required for ice conditions, was not working.
According to the outlet, the Delta flight left New York at 7 am and landed in Utah where passengers were asked to deplane. After some time and technical maintenance, the plane was scheduled to take off again in the afternoon around 1 pm Utah time. As the passengers reboarded the plane and were set to depart, the inflatable air slide at the back of the plane accidentally opened while the aircraft was still at the gate. One crew member was injured in the process and was later taken to a hospital. The employee is discharged after all necessary check-ups.
A passenger said the crew armed a rear door and the air slide accidentally opened, forcing a door panel out and hitting the crew “like an airbag” of a car. Another passenger described the slide as “exploding” inside the aircraft. According to the NYP, the slide was mistakenly launched by the aircraft’s catering staff and hit the crew member in the head.
Passengers bound for Los Angeles were given another flight from Utah.
The airlines, in a statement to the NYP, said, “Delta flight 520, operating from New York-JFK to Los Angeles diverted to Salt Lake City due to a maintenance issue. While on the ground, both slides of aircraft was deployed by accident. In an effort to get our customers to their final destination as quickly and safely as possible, they have been re-accommodated on a new aircraft. We apologize for the delay on their travel plans. Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people.”
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