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Delta flight forced to return to Atlanta airport after engine starts spewing smoke

Smoking engine forces Delta plane back to ATL
Posted at 5:00 PM, Apr 18, 2018
and last updated 2018-04-18 20:10:54-04

ATLANTA (KGTV) - An Atlanta Delta flight was forced to return to the ground shortly after takeoff when black smoke began billowing from one of its engines.

The Delta aircraft took off from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Wednesday shortly after 6 p.m. EDT when the smoke was reported, according to airport officials. Multiple reports indicate the plane was heading for London's Heathrow Airport.

About 43 minutes after takeoff, the plane returned to the ground and airport fire crews hosed down the engine. The plane was then towed back to its terminal.

RELATED: Southwest passenger is first to die on a US airline since 2009

No injuries were reported and the airport endured "minimal impact" to other operations, officials said.

The emergency landing occurs one day after a Southwest Airlines plane blew an engine while traveling from New York to Dallas and was forced to land in Philadelphia.

Jennifer Riordan, 43, was struck by shrapnel from the engine and partially sucked out of a window. She later died from her injuries. Seven other passengers were also injured in the incident.