A Delta Airlines flight from New York to Los Angeles made an emergency landing in Utah after a technical problem. As the New York Post reports, an air slide deployed inside the plane injured a cabin crew member. The cabin crew member was taken to the hospital after the incident. At the time of the incident, there were 168 people on board when the captain signaled that the plane would land in Salt Lake City.
As the New York Post reports, the 7 a.m. Delta flight left New York and landed in Utah, where passengers were requested to disembark. After some time off for technical repairs, the aircraft was scheduled to take off again in the afternoon at approximately 1:00 p.m. Utah time.
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Meanwhile, an inflatable air slide at the rear of the plane accidentally opened as the plane was still at the gate as passengers boarded and prepared to take off. In the process, one of the crew members got hurt and was sent to the hospital. Later, after completing all the necessary checks, the employee was allowed to go. Passengers were put on another flight to Utah after the incident.
NYP quoted Delta Airlines as saying, “Delta Flight 520 operated from New York-JFK to Los Angeles was diverted to Salt Lake City due to a maintenance issue. While on the ground, the same aircraft’s slide deployed by accident was done. In an effort to get our customers to their final destinations as quickly and safely as possible, they have been re-accommodated on a new aircraft. We apologize for the delay in their travel plans. Our customers And nothing is more important than the safety of people.”
A passenger said the crew member was hit “like an airbag” of a car, as the rear door air slides opened after being accidentally armed. Another passenger said that the slide “exploded” inside the plane. According to the NYP, the plane’s catering staff accidentally launched the slide, injuring the crew member’s head.