Emergency exit slide falls off Delta flight in NYC

NEW YORK - An emergency exit slide "separated" from a Delta Airlines flight, prompting an emergency return to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport Friday morning. 

Flight 520 to Los Angeles took off from JFK this morning. It returned safely at around 8:35 a.m. "after the crew reported a vibration," according to the FAA.

The crew noticed an indicator light related to the right wing emergency exit, and heard a sound coming from near the right wing, Delta said. 

They declared an emergency and headed back, landing safely. The interaction between the pilot and an air traffic controller was captured by LiveATC.net.

"Delta 520 are you requiring assistance?" an air traffic controller said. 

"Delta 520, negative. Thanks for the assistance in bringing us back in," the pilot said. 

"520 turn right on Bravo for the hotel and let ground know where you're going," the controller said. 

"As nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people, Delta flight crews enacted their extensive training and followed procedures to return to JFK. We appreciate their professionalism and our customers' patience for the delay in their travels," Delta said in a statement. "After the aircraft had safely landed and proceeded to a gate, it was observed that the emergency slide had separated from the aircraft. Delta is fully supporting retrieval efforts and will fully cooperate in investigations."

The plane is now out of service and is being evaluated.   

There were 176 passengers and seven crew on the Boeing 767. The passengers were able to continue their journey on another jet.    

It's just the latest in a recent series of concerning incidents involving planes. In January, a Boeing jet had a door plug fly off in midair, sparking investigations. Earlier this month, a plane engine covering fell off in Denver during takeoff, and a recent close call at John F. Kennedy nearly involved multiple planes.

In:
• Delta Air Lines

Jesse Zanger

Jesse Zanger is the managing editor of CBSNewYork.com. Jesse has previously worked for the Fox News Channel and Spectrum News NY1. He covers regional news around the Tri-State Area, with a particular focus on breaking news and extreme weather.