Delta passengers evacuate on escape slides after emergency landing

Delta Air Lines passengers were forced to evacuate a Boeing 757-200 on escape slides at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) following an emergency landing.

On August 8, 2026, the Delta Air Lines flight left Atlanta at 07:35, for Orlando International Airport (MCO) but diverted back to ATL shortly after takeoff.

In a statement, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that smoke was reported in the cockpit of the Boeing 757-200, registered N555NW.

Once the aircraft landed back at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, the passengers disembarked via emergency slides onto the taxiway.

It is understood that there were 199 passengers and six crew members on the flight. A staff member and a passenger required medical attention.

A Delta flight was evacuated Saturday morning at the airline’s main hub in Atlanta after the crew reported fumes on board the plane shortly after takeoff. Nearly 200 passengers evacuated via the emergency slides on the runway and boarded a different plane to Orlando. pic.twitter.com/3jcDVuTuE4— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 8, 2026 In a voice recording with air traffic control a Delta pilot can be heard saying that there is “smoke in the back” and “we need to deplane immediately”.

According to Flightradar24, the passenger jet reached around 9,650 feet before reducing altitude and initiating a diversion.

“The flight crew followed procedures to return to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after reports of fumes in the flight deck,” Delta Air Lines said. “A slide evacuation occurred on a taxiway, and customers are being reaccommodated on a new aircraft. Safety is paramount at Delta, and we apologize to our customers for their experience.”

The FAA said it is investigating the incident.

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