Two people have died after a Delta airplane tire exploded while it was being changed at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
A Delta employee and contractor were killed at the scene, while a third person suffered serious injuries.
The incident occurred in the maintenance area of the airport just after 5am on Tuesday.
Delta TechOps is responsible for the maintenance of all the airline’s planes, and Atlanta serves as the global headquarters, servicing more than 200 routes around the world.
It is understood the Boeing 757 arrived in Atlanta from Las Vegas on Sunday night, WSB-TV reported.
Flight Radar tracking data reveals the plane had completed four short-haul trips on Sunday between Tampa, Atlanta and Las Vegas.
The incident comes just months after another Delta Boeing lost its nose wheel while attempting to take off from the same airport.
Two people have died after a Delta airplane tire exploded while it was being changed at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
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John Laughter, the President and Chief of Operations of Delta TechOps, issued a note to staff on Tuesday morning acknowledging the tragedy is ‘heartbreaking for us all.’
He said: ‘I’m deeply saddened to share that three TechOps team members were involved in an accident that took place early this morning in Atlanta… Wheel & Brake Shop.
‘Please know your safety and wellbeing comes first – always, and that your leaders are here for you. Please continue to take good care of yourself and one another.
‘We’re all in this together, and we’ll get through this by supporting each other.’
Laughter said resources will remain onsite to assist for as long as required, and directed distressed staff to the HR department, while also offering a 24/7 counseling service.
Delta Air Lines said in a statement: ‘The Delta family is heartbroken at the loss of two team members and the injury of another following an incident this morning at the Atlanta Technical Operations Maintenance facility.
‘We have extended our full support to family members and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time.
‘The Delta family is grateful for the quick action of first responders and medical teams on site.’
Flights in and out of the airport have not been impacted by the tragedy.
Delta has vowed to work with local authorities as an investigation is launched to determine what went wrong.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens issued a statement on Tuesday morning confirming the tragedy and issuing his condolences to the loved ones of those involved.
He said: ‘I offer my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased Delta employees.
My thoughts are also with those who were injured, and I hope for their swift and full recovery. AFRD, APD, and HJAIA teams are on the scene, working diligently to address the situation.’
Delta Air Lines said in a statement: ‘The Delta family is heartbroken at the loss of two team members and the injury of another following an incident this morning at the Atlanta Technical Operations Maintenance facility’
The tragedy comes just months after a Delta plane flying out of the same airport lost the nose tire as it attempted to take off.
The Boeing 757 was set to take off from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta to Bogota, Colombia in January but was delayed because of the incident.
According to the FAA, the nose wheel came off and rolled down the hill as during the line up and wait to take off.
It also marks the latest in a string of concerning incidents involving Boeing planes.
Just last month, a Boeing 737 suddenly plummeted to less than 500 feet off the ground over Oklahoma, terrifying residents who feared the jet was going to crash.
One of the more scary incidents involved a door plug blowing out on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 at 16,000 feet this January.
Boeing executives last month accepted a $243.6million plea deal that would see the company avoid a criminal trial over two deadly 737 Max crashes.
Under the agreement, Boeing will plead guilty to a criminal fraud charge stemming from the fatal crashes in Indonesia in October 2018 and in Ethiopia less than five months later that killed a combined 346 people.
Delta TechOps is responsible for the maintenance of all the airline’s planes, and Atlanta serves as the global headquarters