Delta plane with ‘engulfed engine’ returns safely to SLC airport

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A Delta Air Lines flight that departed from the Salt Lake City International Airport on Tuesday had to return soon after takeoff, upon reports of an “engulfed engine,” according to airport officials.

The Seattle-bound Boeing 737 returned and made a safe emergency landing at the Salt Lake airport on Tuesday. No injuries were reported after the incident, according to Nancy Volmer, director of communication and marketing at the Salt Lake airport.

According to Delta, 152 people were aboard the plane that returned to Salt Lake. After being inspected by fire crews at the airport, the aircraft taxied back to the gate to return the passengers to the terminal.

A replacement plane arrived and took customers to Seattle after a delay of about two hours.

The airline provided the following statement to ABC4.com:

Delta flight 871 from Salt Lake City to Seattle experienced a mechanical issue shortly after takeoff. It landed safely and returned to the gate. Delta teams worked to get our customers to their final destinations as quickly and safely as possible. We apologize to our customers for any inconvenience this delay may have caused.”

Delta Air Lines statement

There is no further information at this time.

Matthew Drachman contributed to reporting.

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