 "Panel behind Delta's Airbus A330neo jetliner's engine falls off, another reminder of air safety concerns")
A Delta Airlines flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam was cut short over the weekend when a panel behind one of the two engines on an Airbus A330neo jetliner detached during takeoff.
The aircraft, which had crossed into the Montana-North Dakota boundary, was forced to return to Salt Lake City, landing safely three hours later.
Delta Airlines confirmed the incident, stating the flight returned due to a reported mechanical issue, with all 260 passengers and 13 crew members onboard landing safely.
What happened?
According to the Federal Aviation Administration’s safety database, a pylon panel on the left wing’s engine became detached upon takeoff. Although not a load-bearing part, these panels play a crucial role in maintaining the aircraft’s aerodynamic efficiency.
Such an incident is rare for an Airbus flight– in contrast with its rival, Boeing.
A reminder of safety concerns
Nevertheless, it has brought concerns over aviation safety in focus.
This is because in recent times, civil aviation aircraft, particularly those of Boeing, have faced multiple incidents that have brought the integrity of manufacturing processes under intense scrutiny.
In January this year, the door plug of a Boeing 737 Max 9 came off as the plane was climbing. That left a gaping hole on the side of the plane, alarming passengers onboard. Boeing 737 Max planes have previously also been involved in two plane crashes.
Impact Shorts
View AllBoeing’s situation has highlighted concerns about the adequacy of safety standards and regulatory oversight. Investigations have revealed a culture where the drive for profitability sometimes overshadowed the importance of safety and quality.
The Delta Airlines incident is not indicative of systemic issues within Airbus. The cause of the panel coming off remains to be investigated.
With inputs from agencies
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