Delta Air Lines flight 2284 nearing the end of its roll out as flames begin to show on the landing gear. Photo: Andrew Thon - OPShots.net
A routine Delta Air Lines flight from Pittsburgh to Atlanta ended in spectacular fashion when it touched down at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on May 28th and the brakes locked-up on the right main landing gear. The intense friction on the effected wheels caused them to produce billowing white smoke followed by fire and the disintegration of the tires themselves. The crew managed to steer the aircraft clear of runway 8L, coming to rest on taxiway B7 where black smoke from the fire began to envelope the right rear of the aircraft. An evacuation was initiated out of the left side of the plane with four passengers reporting minor injuries. An attempt to use the tailcone exit was thwarted when the tailcone itself became hung up and failed to detatch properly from the aircraft.
Airport fire personnel quickly responded to the scene and doused the stricken MD-88, N941DL (cn 49814), with foam, putting out the flames. The passengers were bused to the terminal, and the aircraft was towed to the maintenance hangar following a tire change in situ. Photos of the aftermath appear to show some damage to the flaps and the aft wing-to-body faring, as well as considerable sooting from the fire.
In an amazing case of being in the right place at the right time, OPShots contributing photographer Andrew Thon (aka N960DL) captured the entire sequence of events as they unfolded. See the photos here.
Chuck Slusarczyk Jr. – OPShots.net
