Delta Flight Returns to Atlanta After 'Possible Smoke' Report

Delta Air Lines experienced another concerning incident on Monday morning when Flight 876 was forced to return to Atlanta shortly after takeoff due to reports of possible smoke onboard.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the crew of Flight 876, which departed from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport at 8:30 a.m. bound for Columbia Metropolitan Airport in South Carolina, reported "possible smoke" inside the aircraft. The plane was in the air for approximately 35 minutes before safely landing back in Atlanta at 9:04 a.m.

Response from Delta Air Lines

In a statement, Delta Air Lines confirmed that the flight crew followed established procedures to return to Atlanta after observing a haze inside the aircraft following departure. The airline emphasized that "nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people" and apologized to passengers for the disruptive experience.

Passenger Accounts and Emergency Declaration

Video footage uploaded to social media by a passenger on Flight 876 appears to show smoke in the cabin, with passengers seen covering their mouths and noses to protect themselves from the haze. The flight crew declared an emergency to ensure "priority handling" from air traffic control.

There were 94 passengers onboard the Boeing 717 aircraft, along with two pilots and three flight attendants.

Emergency Procedures and Investigation

Following the landing, slides were deployed, and Atlanta Fire Rescue assisted in the deplaning of all passengers. A spokesperson for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport confirmed that there was a moderate impact on airport operations as a result of the plane's return. The FAA has initiated an investigation into this incident.

This marks the second smoke-related issue to affect a Delta flight within a week. Just two days prior, an Australia-bound Delta flight returned to Los Angeles International Airport after smoke was detected in the galley. The FAA is also investigating this earlier incident.