Pilotcenter.net News: FAA Investigates Delta Air Lines Wing Flap Incident

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation following a peculiar discovery in North Carolina. A section of a trailing edge wing flap was found on the driveway of a private residence, believed to have detached from a Boeing 737-900ER that had just landed at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. This incident occurred after Delta Air Lines flight 3247, which departed from Atlanta, landed safely with 109 passengers and six crew members onboard.

The homeowner contacted emergency services upon finding the wing section, leading to local police confirming it was part of an aircraft preparing to land at the airport. Delta Air Lines spokesperson reassured that safety is their top priority and mentioned, “After the aircraft landed safely, it was observed that a portion of the left wing’s trailing edge flap was not in place. Delta is fully supporting retrieval efforts and will cooperate with investigations.” The piece was recovered by the airline on the same day with no reported injuries.

The FAA is diligently investigating how this detachment occurred, while the Boeing 737-900ER remains grounded for repairs at Raleigh-Durham Airport. This aircraft, with a history originally from Lion Air in 2007, came into Delta's possession in 2022 and serves with 173 seats, including 12 first-class and 161 economy-class seats. Delta has yet to determine the cause of the detachment or when the aircraft will resume service, although its maintenance facility in Raleigh is likely where repairs will take place. Stay tuned for updates as this unusual incident continues to unfold.