By Aaron Miller-
Passengers aboard a Delta Air Lines jet arriving at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport found themselves in a tense situation Monday night as emergency evacuation procedures were initiated due to smoke emanating from ground electrical power at the nose of the aircraft.
The flight, DL604, operated by a one-year-old Airbus A321neo, had just completed a six and a half-hour journey from Cancun and had parked at the gate as usual.
However, the routine turnaround took a dramatic turn when pilots observed smoke emerging from beneath the plane’s nose.
Responding swiftly to the potential danger, the flight crew made the decision to evacuate the 189 passengers on board “out of an abundance of caution.” While some passengers disembarked via the jetty attached to the front left-hand door, an evacuation order was also issued for emergency slides.
Passengers exiting the aircraft utilized both rear emergency doors and self-help overwing exits, clambering onto the wings before safely descending to the tarmac below.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing sparks emanating from the ground electrical power connection, with video footage showing black charring on the nose of the aircraft.
Only last week, a Delta Airlines flight was forced to return to New York on Friday after an emergency slide billowed out from above one wing shortly after take-off.
The Boeing plane, bound for Los Angeles, landed safely back at John F Kennedy Airport at around 8.35am.
A Delta spokesperson confirmed the incident, stating, “During deplaning Monday evening, the crew of Flight 604 from Cancun to Seattle witnessed smoke in the aircraft nose area after plugging into ground electrical power.”
The spokesperson added that all passengers were fully evacuated, and those deplaned returned to the terminal via ramp stairs.
While passengers proceeded to customs for regular processing, the aircraft was promptly taken out of service for thorough inspection and maintenance.
The current investigation is focused on the ground power equipment, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to ensuring passenger safety.