Boeing ‘must prove planes are safe’ after school trip to New York catches fire in midair

Boeing must prove to investigators that its planes are safe after a flight full of Scottish schoolchildren bound for New York suffered an engine failure and burst into flames.

Passengers on board the Delta Airlines Flight which took off from Edinburgh in February last year feared they would not be able to land safely after the engines cut out and fire could be seen from the windows.

Video from inside the Boeing 767 captured bright orange flames burning under the wings of the plane with about 211 passengers and ten crew members on board.

Among them were children and teachers from an East Dunbartonshire high school on their way to the US for a February break trip.

STV news

An Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) probe found that a turbine blade broke the large plane’s right engine, which in turn damaged five other blades before fuel leaked from a tank on the right wing.

The flight crew were found to be unaware of any flames until the flight.

The AAIB said a safety recommendation had been made requiring Boeing to demonstrate that the design of the slatted track cover drain tube on their aircraft met certification requirements.

AAIB

The AAIB’s summary report read: “During take-off from Edinburgh Airport bound for New York, a high-pressure turbine blade in the right engine ruptured.

“The blade damaged another five blades, but the engine was still able to generate thrust.

“The unbalanced turbine caused vibration sufficient to cause the slat track drain tube in the wing to rupture, allowing fuel to escape from the right wing fuel tank.”

“Due to high engine vibrations, the flight crew diverted the aircraft to Prestwick Airport.

“During the diversion, fuel leaking from the wing ignited from the hot engine exhaust, which was captured on video by the passengers, but the flames were extinguished before landing.

“The plane landed immediately with the full participation of the emergency services. After the aircraft landed, the airport fire service noticed fuel coming from the right wing and implemented measures to contain the fuel to prevent it from igniting on a hot engine or brakes.

“Passengers were quickly disembarked, uninjured.”

Julie Nisbet was on board the plane and revealed she “didn’t think they were going to get down safely” when she realized the severity of the problem.

She told STV News in February last year: “It was announced that we were heading to Prestwick. The noise then stopped as if the engines had quit. There was an eerie silence at that moment, and then he gasped.

“We saw the captain pacing up and down and thought it might be serious.

“When the engines shut down, it felt like it was sliding. I didn’t think we were going to get down safely. When we did, we clapped, cheered and whistled. I’m happy to tell the story.”

A spokesman for Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called on Friday 10 February 2023 at 11.23am to assist our fire service partners at Prestwick Airport.

“Operations Control has mobilized four devices to the scene where firefighters continue to work to support their partners.”

A Delta Air Lines spokesman said at the time: “Delta Flight 209 from Edinburgh to New York-JFK was safely diverted to Prestwick, Glasgow following a mechanical problem with the aircraft.

“We apologize to our customers for this inconvenience and are working to get them to their destination as quickly as possible.”

Boeing and Delta Airlines have been contacted for comment.