ATLANTA, Georgia – A Boeing 757 jet operated by Delta Air Lines lost a nose wheel while preparing for takeoff at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The incident occurred as Delta Flight 982 was taxiing for departure to Bogota, Colombia, according to the Federal Aviation Administration’s investigation.
The 32-year-old plane, which is not the same model as the 737 Max, raised safety concerns in recent years. Delta Air Lines revealed that all customers and their bags were safely transferred to the gate and onto a replacement aircraft, apologizing for the inconvenience caused.
Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident, and the plane was retired and put back into service the next day, as confirmed by a Delta spokesperson. The airline reported that 172 passengers, two pilots, and four flight attendants were on board the flight.
Boeing, the aircraft maker based in Arlington, Virginia, did not comment further on the incident when contacted by The AP Wednesday. The company ended production of the 757 nearly 20 years ago.
There have been several mishaps involving Boeing planes in recent years, raising concerns about safety. However, it is unclear who is to blame for the most recent incident, as Delta is responsible for maintaining its planes. The incident raises questions about the maintenance and safety protocols of the airline.
In a separate incident earlier this month, an Alaska Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliner experienced a door plug blowing off 16,000 feet above Oregon, leading to a gaping hole in the side of the plane. Following this, Alaska Airlines and United reported finding loose bolts and other problems in the panel doors of an unspecified number of other Max 9s.
Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun was in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to meet with lawmakers about the safety of the Max 9, emphasizing the need for an in-depth investigation and reassurance of safety measures. This highlights the growing concern about the safety of Boeing’s aircraft models and the need for comprehensive maintenance and safety protocols.
