A Delta Airlines Boeing 767 aircraft, en route to New York City, was forced to make an emergency stop during takeoff at Blaise Diagne International Airport in Senegal on Saturday, according to Senegal’s transport ministry. The incident occurred due to a technical issue, prompting the pilot to execute an emergency maneuver.
The ministry’s statement reported that the plane “performed an acceleration maneuver followed by an emergency stop due to a technical incident” during the takeoff process. The aircraft was carrying 216 passengers at the time.
Notably, the pilot successfully brought the plane to a safe stop, and no injuries were recorded among the passengers or crew. The swift action of the flight crew prevented what could have potentially been a more serious situation.
This incident comes just a day after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration announced it would initiate a new safety review into Boeing. The FAA’s decision follows an in-flight emergency involving a Boeing aircraft in January, adding to the scrutiny faced by the aerospace manufacturer.
In response to the incident, Senegal’s national civil aviation agency and its Bureau of Investigations and Analysis will conduct a thorough investigation. This probe aims to determine the exact cause of the technical issue and assess any potential safety implications.