What In God's Name Is Going On With Air Travel Right Now?

Photo: Geography Photos/Universal Images Group (Getty Images)

The nose wheel of a Delta Air Lines Boeing 757 came off while waiting to depart from Atlanta, Georgia last Saturday. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident. The venerable 757 is entering its fifth decade of service, with the newest airframes being 20 years old. While the investigation is still in its early stages, Delta maintenance will likely be the focus for federal officials.

Delta Air Lines Flight 982 was scheduled to fly from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, Colombia on Saturday. However, the airliner never left the runway for the City of Gold, as an FAA preliminary report succinctly states, “Aircraft during line up and wait, nose wheel came off and rolled down the hill, Atlanta, GA.” The flight was immediately canceled and everyone onboard, including 172 passengers, safely deplaned.

By Ryan Erik King

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