Electrical Short Forces Plane to Return to Orlando International Airport

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on May 3, 2011

A Delta Airlines flight from Orlando International Airport to Washington D.C. on the morning of May 6 was forced to return to Orlando after crew and passengers smelled smoke from what was eventually traced to an electrical short. Passengers and crew members began smelling smoke shortly after the MD-88 took off from OIA, and when they could not find the source, they turned around and landed safely. The flight took off on schedule at 10:55 a.m. and landed without incident at 11:19 a.m.

Delta officials had hoped to have the aircraft back in the air by 3:00 for a scheduled flight that afternoon, but had to keep the plane grounded when personnel could not find the source of the smoke.

Delta spokesman Anthony Black said that safety officials concentrated their efforts on the aircraft’s electrical system.

“We assumed that we’d be able to find it and fix it in short order and be on our way,” he said. However, the plane was still grounded later that evening. Delta staff members scrambled to find ways to transport the fight’s 116 passengers to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport before the end of the day.

If you’ve flown anywhere in a commercial aircraft, you know that air travel can be an adventure. However, the folks who bought tickets for this flight were inconvenienced much more than the average air traveler is. Fortunately, this aircraft and its passengers were able to return quickly and safely to Orlando International Airport without further incident. However, many passengers refuse to fly on older aircraft like the MD-88 due to its age and concerns about safety inspections. In recent years, more and more airlines have begun conducting mandatory safety inspections in other countries to save money. These countries have lower wages and may or may not adhere to strict FAA safety standards.

If you are injured in an aviation accident, you may be entitled to seek damages against the at-fault parties whether a large multinational corporation or an individual owned the aircraft. If you have questions about your legal options and you would like to speak with an Orlando personal injury lawyer, call James O. Cunningham today at 888-425-2004 or 407-425-2000. Mr. Cunningham has been helping injured people since 1977 and has a proven record of success getting victims the fair and just compensation they deserve. Before you sign any documents offered by the aircraft owner, their insurers or their legal representatives, call Orlando personal injury attorney James O. Cunningham to get his skills and experience on your side.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.