Delta Jet Returns To Ft. Lauderdale After Engine Blows

FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) – Delta Airlines passengers received a scare Sunday morning when their plane had to return to Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport and make an emergency landing.

Pieces of metal were found in a sandy area near the airport Sunday afternoon after a Delta 737-800 jet with 119 people aboard was forced to make an emergency landing after parts of its engine fell off following take off.

"We knew something had happened. We heard a loud boom," described one passenger about the noise she heard onboard as the plane was taking off.

According to airport spokesman Greg Myer, Delta Flight 1846 lifted off around 7:45 a.m. bound for Minneapolis. The plane was heading east toward the ocean when Myer said an engine malfunctioned, parts falling to the ground.

The FAA confirmed pieces of metal came off the plane from its engine.

"We were just climbing and going along and then there was a big explosion. A flash that went off," said another passenger after she landed safely in Minnesota four hours behind schedule.

The pilot informed the tower of problems and turned back toward the airport. The plane landed safely and the passengers were put on another aircraft, according to Anthony Black, Delta spokesman.
In a statement the FAA said:

The FAA's Preliminary inspection of the engine revealed that it was a contained failure.

Myer said two of the plane's engine parts were recovered in the cargo at Port Everglades by Broward Sheriff's deputies.

Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said their preliminary inspection found that more than one of the engine's turbine blades shot out of the rear of the engine. She termed this type of malfunction as a 'contained failure' because the blades did not penetrate the engine cover.

No injuries were reported. All of the passengers were re-booked on other flights, according to Delta, and arrived at their destination 3.5 hours behind schedule.

"The first thing I did was text home and say, I love you," said one passenger.