On January 20th, as Flight DL982 prepared for takeoff to Bogotá El Dorado International Airport (BOG), one of its nose wheel tires dislodged and rolled off the runway, leading to a temporary closure.
The situation unfolded as the aircraft taxied onto runway 27R. The issue was first alerted by the pilot of another aircraft in the queue, who promptly informed air traffic control (ATC). The Delta pilot, upon receiving the information, acknowledged the problem, and the flight, carrying 184 passengers, was promptly evacuated. Passengers were accommodated on a replacement flight, albeit facing a delay of over five hours.
This incident follows a similar event last summer when another Delta 757 experienced tire troubles, culminating in an emergency evacuation after a landing gear tire burst into flames in Atlanta. Thankfully, all passengers evacuated safely without injury.
The affected Boeing 757, with a delivery date back in 1992, has a storied history, accumulating over 96,600 flight hours and 42,350 flight cycles as of August 2023.
The aftermath of the recent incident saw the stranded aircraft on the apron for over two hours, causing a disruption in airport operations. A maintenance team towed the aircraft away approximately two hours and 10 minutes later, enabling the reopening of the runway.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with Delta yet to disclose the root cause of the nose tire detachment. As the aviation community awaits more details, incidents like these underline the importance of rigorous maintenance practices and continuous safety measures within the industry.