A Delta flight bound for New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) was forced to make an emergency landing after flames were seen coming from a wing.
The Boeing 737, which departed Edinburgh just after 11:00am on February 10, 2023, made an unscheduled landing at Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) after flying for less than half an hour.
In footage shared across social media the wing close to the passenger window of the Delta 209 flight can be seen in flames.
One passenger told LBC news that she and her friend “genuinely thought” the plane might not land.
BBC Scotland News journalist Laura Pettigrew, who was on the flight, reported a “loud engine noise” that “seemed to continue” while the plane was in the air.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) confirmed that firefighters from Prestwick Airport were the lead crew and support was requested at 11.23am
“Operations Control mobilised four appliances to the site, where firefighters remain working to support their partners,” a spokesperson for SFRS said.
Witnesses on the flight reported that passengers broke into applause with relief when they landed safely.
A Delta Air Lines spokesperson said: “Delta flight 209 from Edinburgh to New York-JFK safely diverted to Glasgow Prestwick Airport after a mechanical issue with one of the aircraft’s two engines.
“We apologise to our customers for this inconvenience and are working to get them to their final destinations via Edinburgh.”
