A Delta Airlines Boeing 767 was forced to make an emergency return to John F. Kennedy International Airport soon after takeoff when it was discovered that the emergency exit slide had detached from the aircraft, according to a report by NPR.
“After the aircraft had safely landed and proceeded to a gate, it was observed that the emergency slide had separated from the aircraft,” a Delta spokesperson said in a statement to NPR Friday afternoon.
Delta Flight 520, which was en route from New York to Los Angeles, turned back to JFK “safely after the crew experienced a vibration,” according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The flight was airborne for about 33 minutes, the FAA reported.
The FAA has initiated an investigation into what caused the need for the emergency landing. A representative from Delta stated that the airline is actively participating in the recovery of the slide and will cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.
A passenger, who chose to remain unnamed, reported to NPR that a loud noise from the aircraft made it difficult to hear any announcements from the cockpit crew. The same passenger described the ordeal as “overwhelming” and “really scary.”