Delta Flight to Boston Diverts After Fumes Fill Cockpit Post-Takeoff
A Delta Air Lines flight from London Heathrow to Boston was forced to make an emergency diversion shortly after takeoff on Sunday morning when fumes reportedly filled the cockpit. The Airbus A330-900neo, carrying 259 passengers, had departed from Runway 27R around 10 a.m. on October 5 before turning back toward the United Kingdom less than an hour into its climb.
The flight, designated DL-59, was en route to Boston Logan International Airport when pilots detected fumes during the aircraft’s ascent over the coast of Cornwall. The crew immediately declared an emergency and returned to Heathrow, where the jet landed safely under heightened fire and ground crew supervision. Passengers were deplaned and transported by bus to the terminal while emergency teams inspected the aircraft.
According to sources, the fumes were concentrated in the cockpit, prompting pilots to follow emergency procedures, including donning oxygen masks and expediting a diversion. Despite carrying transatlantic fuel levels, the crew opted not to dump fuel, choosing instead to land overweight in the interest of safety.
Delta later issued a statement confirming the incident: “Delta flight 59 from London Heathrow to Boston landed safely after returning to Heathrow due to reports of smoke in the aircraft. The flight will operate tomorrow, and our teams are assisting customers with accommodations and rebooking. Safety for our customers and crew will always be Delta’s top priority.”
The aircraft involved, a widebody Airbus A330 delivered in 2021, is one of Delta’s newer jets and was not part of the airline’s ongoing replacement program for Auxiliary Power Units (APUs). The program, revealed by The Wall Street Journal in September, involves replacing hundreds of APUs on Delta’s Airbus A320 series to reduce the risk of so-called “fume events.”
The APU, a small secondary engine located in an aircraft’s tail, powers onboard systems while on the ground and assists with engine startup. Older units have been linked to incidents where cabin air becomes contaminated with oil or chemical residues. Although APU replacements can reduce such risks, other factors—such as “bleed air” contamination from main engines or electrical issues—can also cause fumes or odors during flight.
While most fume events result in only minor symptoms like headaches or eye irritation, aviation safety advocates have documented rare cases of more serious health effects. Investigations into Sunday’s incident are underway as Delta continues assessing its fleet-wide air quality systems.
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