Tragic tire explosion on Delta jet claims lives and raises safety concerns – CGWALL USA News

Tire explosion at Delta Airlines in Atlanta: A devastating tire explosion on a Boeing 757 aircraft at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport killed two Delta Air Lines employees and seriously injured a third on Tuesday. The incident occurred around 5 a.m. as workers were performing maintenance on the plane's wheel components in a hangar.

The explosion occurred as tire components were being removed from the plane, which had arrived from Las Vegas the previous evening. This tragic event has drawn attention to Boeing, which is already under intense scrutiny following a near-catastrophic door jamb failure on an Alaska Airlines flight earlier this year.

While the cause of the tire explosion remains unclear, it is worth noting that aircraft tires are known to be subjected to tremendous pressure that can lead to catastrophic failures. A 1996 study published by Quartz indicates that the energy released in a tire blowout can be comparable to that of dynamite.

The Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched an investigation into the incident, while the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is monitoring the situation and remains in contact with Delta. The airline has pledged its full cooperation to local authorities and expressed its deep sadness over the loss of its employees.

As the investigation continues, this incident adds to ongoing concerns about Boeing's safety record, which include recent problems with the company's airplanes and spacecraft.