Delta plane lost wing panel mid-flight
A Delta Air Lines plane suffered a mid-air scare, losing a wing panel during a flight between Orlando and Atlanta.
Delta spokesman Anthony Black called the incident "highly unusual," but said it did not affect the pilot’s ability to fly and land the plane safely.
The Boeing 757 was carrying 179 passengers and six crew and landed safely at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
Black said flight crew followed usual procedures, declaring an emergency to Atlanta air traffic control, which gave the flight priority clearance to land with ground crews on standby.
Interviewed afterwards by ABC News, passenger David Watterson said he heard a mid-air boom and saw the wing panel missing with fluid leaking from the opening.
He said passengers remained calm and crew were professional, but it was "concerning to see a big chunk of the plane missing."
The airline is currently undertaking inspection of the plane.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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