DENVER – A Delta Airlines flight from Detroit to Denver was evacuated after landing Tuesday evening at Denver International Airport following reports of smoke in the cabin.
Delta Airlines Flight 1854 from Detroit had already been delayed in Detroit for about three hours before the flight departed, according to flight records and a passenger who was on the plane who spoke with Denver7, Jim McManus.
Just landed. Had to evacuate. Flight from hell. Good job delta. pic.twitter.com/dKZG6eIUn4
— Jim McManus (@JimMcManus614) May 9, 2018
But all its passengers had to be evacuated once the plane landed in Denver around 8 p.m., DIA confirms to Denver7.
McManus told Denver7 that smoke started coming through the cabin vents after the plane had landed in Denver and while it was taxiing to its arrival gate.
He said the flight attendants were "calm" throughout the ordeal, told passengers to put their heads down, and waited with passengers before evacuating themselves.
— NWOtweeter (@NWOtweeter) May 9, 2018
He said he wasn't sure where the smoke originally came from, but said it wasn't too thick and that most people on board the plane remained calm throughout.
“We were grateful that is wasn’t while we were in the air, McManus said, saying things could have been “a lot worse.”
“We were kind of sitting there complaining among ourselves...one guy pointed out that it didn’t happen while we were in the air….so once again, it couldn’t have gone any better,” he said.
Scariest thing. After landing fumes through the vents and fire. Feeling faint and sick. Baby was last one out!!! Emergency evacuation. Scariest thing ever. Delta. #Delta #deltaairlines @Delta @DeltaNewsHub pic.twitter.com/oMmkpbhoqo
— Rachel Naftel (@rachelnaftel) May 9, 2018
Delta Airlines provided a statement to Denver7 about the incident Tuesday night.
“After arrival in Denver and during taxi to the gate, Delta flight 1854 from Detroit to Denver stopped on a taxiway where customers deplaned via slides and over-wing exits due to an observance of smoke in the cabin,” the airline said in a statement.
“Airport response vehicles met the aircraft out of an abundance of caution and customers were transported to the terminal via buses,” the statement continued. “The safety of Delta’s customers and crew is our top priority and we apologize for the concern this situation has caused.”
DIA also issued a statement on Twitter:
"Earlier tonight, Delta flight 1854 from Detroit landed safely at DEN. As it was taxiing, smoke was reported in the cabin so the aircraft was safely evacuated. There were no flames. Only minor injuries reported. Airport operations are normal."
On Tuesday morning, a Delta representative said five people were treated.
The cause of the smoke is still unclear.