ATLANTA— A Delta Air Lines (DL) flight from London Heathrow (LHR) to Boston Logan (BOS) was forced to make an emergency return shortly after takeoff when fumes reportedly filled the cockpit. The Airbus A330, carrying 259 passengers, landed safely back at Heathrow following the in-flight incident on October 5.
The event occurred just as Delta continues a major replacement program of Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) across its Airbus fleet to reduce risks of air contamination incidents. According to PYOK, the affected aircraft was a relatively new widebody, delivered in 2021 from Airbus’s Toulouse factory.
Photo: Aero Icarus | FlickrDelta A330 Emergency Landing at Heathrow
Delta flight DL59 departed London Heathrow’s Runway 27R at around 10 a.m. local time and began its climb toward cruising altitude.
Minutes into the ascent, the pilots detected unusual fumes in the cockpit, prompting a swift decision to divert. The aircraft turned back over Cornwall and re-entered UK airspace, making a sharp maneuver over South London before landing safely at Heathrow.
Upon arrival, emergency vehicles surrounded the aircraft, and fire crews boarded to assess the situation. Passengers were later transported by bus to the terminal.
Delta confirmed that the aircraft landed safely and cited “reports of smoke in the aircraft” as the reason for the diversion. The airline stated that the flight would operate the following day, with customers rebooked and accommodated overnight.
Photo: Clément AlloingDelta’s APU Replacement Effort
The incident comes soon after reports that Delta is replacing hundreds of APUs on its Airbus A320 series aircraft.
The APU, a small auxiliary engine located in the aircraft’s tail, provides electrical power on the ground and assists in starting the main engines. Older APU models have been linked to “fume events,” where cabin air becomes contaminated by engine oil or other pollutants.
Delta’s replacement initiative, which began in 2022, aims to minimize these risks. However, experts note that APU upgrades alone may not eliminate all sources of air contamination.
Most commercial aircraft, including the Airbus A330 involved in this incident, use a “bleed air” system that supplies cabin air by channeling compressed air from the engines. This process can occasionally introduce traces of oil or lubricants into the ventilation system.
Photo: Clément AlloingUnderstanding Fume Events
While relatively rare, fume events have raised ongoing safety discussions within the aviation industry. Contaminated air can result from engine oil leaks, electrical malfunctions, or even strong cleaning agents used during maintenance.
In most cases, exposure causes mild symptoms such as headaches or eye irritation, but some reported cases have led to more serious health claims.
Aviation regulators and manufacturers maintain that fume events are uncommon and typically non-hazardous. Yet, several pilot unions and advocacy groups continue to push for improved detection systems and standardized response protocols across airlines.
In its official statement, Delta emphasized passenger and crew safety as its top priority, reaffirming that the diversion was precautionary. The airline’s maintenance teams are conducting a full inspection of the aircraft before it re-enters service.
Delta’s wider focus on APU replacement and ongoing safety reviews underscores its proactive approach to addressing potential air quality concerns in the cabin.
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