A Delta Air Lines Boeing 757 bound for Orlando was evacuated on a taxiway at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after smoke was reported onboard, prompting the crew to declare an emergency and return to the airport.
Delta Flight 2204 departed Atlanta shortly before 7:30 a.m. carrying 199 passengers and six crew members. Soon after takeoff, the pilots reported fumes in the cockpit and turned back, landing safely after climbing to around 9,000 feet.
Fire crews initially inspected the aircraft and found no signs of fire. However, while the pilots were taxiing toward the gate, the crew reported that smoke had appeared toward the rear of the aircraft and requested an immediate evacuation.
The aircraft stopped on the taxiway, engines were shut down and passengers evacuated using the emergency slides before being transported by bus to the terminal. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Delta arranged a replacement aircraft to take passengers to Orlando and removed the Boeing 757 from service for a maintenance inspection to determine the source of the fumes and smoke.
