A Delta Air Lines flight lost a portion of its wing flap mid-air before landing safely, and a separate skydiving plane crashed in New Jersey, injuring more than a dozen. Both incidents are now under investigation by federal aviation authorities.
TL;DR Summary
- Delta Flight 3247 lost part of its wing flap mid-flight from Atlanta to Raleigh but landed safely; FAA is investigating and retrieved a suspected aircraft part from a Raleigh driveway.
- Cessna 208B skydiving plane crashed during takeoff in New Jersey, with 14 injured; NTSB and FAA investigations are underway.
What happened on Delta Flight 3247?
Delta Flight 3247, en route from Atlanta to Raleigh-Durham International Airport on Tuesday, experienced a mid-air scare when a piece of the left wing’s trailing edge flap detached during flight.
The aircraft, a Boeing 737-900ER carrying 109 passengers and six crew members, landed safely at RDU approximately 55 minutes behind schedule. While Delta attributed the delay to local thunderstorms, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the structural loss post-landing.
“After the aircraft landed safely, it was observed that a portion of the left wing’s trailing edge flap was not in place,” a Delta spokesperson told USA TODAY. “Delta is fully supporting retrieval efforts and will cooperate with investigations, as nothing is more important than safety.”
Adding to the unusual nature of the event, a resident in Raleigh reportedly discovered an aircraft part on their driveway. FAA officials are working to confirm if the part belongs to Flight 3247.
No injuries were reported, and all passengers disembarked safely.
Why does a wing flap matter during flight?
Wing flaps are critical to the aerodynamics of commercial aircraft. Located on the trailing edge of the wings, these movable surfaces help control lift and drag, especially during takeoff and landing.
Losing a part of the flap mid-air can potentially destabilize the aircraft. However, modern airliners like the Boeing 737 are designed with redundancies that allow for safe operation even with partial system failures.
Pilots are trained to adjust their approach if flap damage or malfunction is detected, as appears to have been the case in this incident.
What’s the status of the investigation?
The FAA is leading the investigation, which includes retrieving and examining the detached wing component. No official cause has been released yet.
There is no indication that other systems on the aircraft were affected. Delta has grounded the jet involved for a full inspection and will provide technical data to assist authorities.
While such incidents are rare, they are not unheard of. Similar cases involving flap detachment have occurred over the past decade, often attributed to mechanical fatigue or undetected structural wear.
🧠 Consider adding an infographic showing where flaps are located and how they function during flight.
What happened in the New Jersey skydiving plane crash?
Just a day after the Delta incident, a skydiving plane crashed during takeoff at Cross Keys Airport in Williamstown, New Jersey. The Cessna 208B aircraft, carrying 15 people—including skydivers and the pilot—ran off the runway and into a wooded area around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Fourteen people were injured in the crash, with three listed in critical condition, according to local officials. Several victims were taken to Cooper University Hospital in Camden on stretchers. Emergency responders on site said that recent mass-casualty drills helped manage the chaotic scene.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating. Early reports suggest a possible engine failure during takeoff, though no official cause has been confirmed.
A local fuel spill was contained, and fire crews remained at the scene into the evening for cleanup and inspection.
Are these incidents connected?
While the timing of the two incidents has raised eyebrows, there is no direct connection between them. Both involve mechanical failures, but they occurred under very different circumstances, with different aircraft types, operational uses, and locations.
However, the FAA’s simultaneous involvement in both investigations is a reminder of the agency’s broad oversight of U.S. aviation, from large commercial airlines to small private operations like skydiving charters.
These back-to-back scares also highlight the importance of regular aircraft maintenance, pilot training, and fast emergency response.
What passengers should know?
If you’re flying soon, incidents like these can understandably cause concern. But experts emphasize that commercial aviation remains the safest mode of transport. U.S. airlines complete thousands of successful flights each day, and incidents involving structural failure or crashes are statistically rare.
Here’s what helps keep passengers safe:
- Rigorous aircraft inspections: FAA-mandated checks at regular intervals.
- Pilot training: Includes simulations for flap loss, engine failure, and crash landings.
- Emergency preparedness: From flight attendants to airport responders.
Passengers can use tools like FlightAware to track flights and review delay reasons, though real-time structural issues may not be disclosed until after landing.
