- Explosion at Delta hangar kills two, injures one critically
- Incident linked to an airplane tire explosion at Atlanta Airport
- Delta and OSHA launch investigations; condolences from officials
A tire reportedly exploded in a hangar at Atlanta Airport. The US airline’s maintenance division is investigating and cooperating with local authorities.
A Delta Air Lines maintenance depot at Atlanta’s airport in Georgia exploded, killing two persons and critically injuring another.
A union representative said that an airplane tire exploded.
Several fire and police units responded to a hangar at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Georgia, soon after 5 a.m. (10 a.m. UK time).
The airline stated that it is conducting an investigation and cooperating with local authorities.
Delta said in a statement that it is heartbroken by the deaths of two team members and the wounding of another as a result of an event this morning at the Atlanta Technical Operations Maintenance site.
We have provided our entire support to family members and coworkers at this challenging time.
A federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration spokesperson said the agency had also launched an investigation.
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The wheel and brake maintenance facility where the explosion occurred is part of Delta TechOps, which provides maintenance, repair, and overhaul services to Delta and over 150 aviation and airline customers worldwide.
Atlanta was named the world’s busiest airport in 2023, with 104 million passengers.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers sympathized with the workers’ families.
The union, which represents airline workers across North America, stated: We will support all individuals affected by this awful tragedy and urge Delta and the necessary authorities to immediately conduct a full inquiry into how this occurred.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport also expressed “prayers for the families affected by the tragic incident.”
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens wrote on X, “I offer my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased Delta employees.”
I also sympathize with those injured and hope for a speedy and complete recovery.
Meanwhile, a nose wheel fell off a Boeing 757 taxiing on the runway at Atlanta’s international airport in January while carrying 184 passengers.
According to a report from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the wheel “came off and rolled down the hill” as the Delta Air Lines flight was about to take off. The FAA is still investigating the event.
