Photo: Chalermphon Kumchai / EyeEm / EyeEm / Getty Images
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating an incident where a part of a Delta Air Lines wing was found on a driveway in Raleigh, North Carolina. The part, identified as a flap from a Boeing 737-900, was discovered on Wednesday (July 2) morning, blocking a driveway on Banbury Road. The flap is a crucial component of the wing, used to increase lift during takeoff and landing.
The Delta flight in question, Flight 3247, safely landed at Raleigh-Durham International Airport on Tuesday (July 1) night after departing from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Upon inspection, the airline found that a portion of the left wing's trailing edge flap was missing. Delta Air Lines confirmed the missing part and is fully cooperating with the FAA's investigation, emphasizing that safety is their top priority.
Susan Reed, who works near the area where the part landed, expressed relief that no injuries or property damage occurred.
"We really dodged a bullet on this one. Let’s just hope it doesn’t happen again," she told WRAL.
The FAA's investigation aims to determine how the part detached and assess any potential safety implications. Delta Air Lines is supporting retrieval efforts and ensuring that all safety protocols are followed.